Appleby to run Sobetsu in Oaks
Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby has decided re-route Prix Saint-Alary winner Sobetsu to Epsom on Friday in which she will run in the Group One Investec Oaks after connections decided to head to Surrey due to the prospect of slightly softer ground being in the filly’s favour.
Appleby had originally planned to send the daughter of Dubawi to France for the Prix De Diane which takes place in France on June 18, but connections have decided that if the filly recovers in time from her Epsom exertions, that she could also take in that race with connections keen to run in the Oaks due to the recent rain which has fallen at the track providing the prospect of a softer surface than she may encounter in France.
Sobetsu was a convincing winner of the Diane at Deauville on her first start of the season in which she spread-eagled a high-quality field to score by three lengths under William Buick. Back in third that day is John Gosden’s Coronet who is set to re-oppose on Friday and who is a general 9/1 chance for the Oaks.
Sobetsu is available at 8/1 behind market leader Rhododendron, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has been very solid all week with Gosden’s other runner Enable the general 9/2 second favourite.
Regarding the decision to head for Epsom, Appleby said:
After discussions with his highness Sheikh Mohammed and John Ferguson, we’ve declared Sobetsu as we feel the recent rain has made it safe for her to run.
The problem with waiting a fortnight for the French Oaks is it may be quick there, and we feel the ground at Epsom is the best we are likely to get for Sobetsu in that timescale. She’s come out of her race in good form and is bursting for a run.