Somehow the ante post 2016 Investec Oaks value
David Metcalf | May 23, 2016
Somehow has plenty going for her in Investec Oaks
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has the first two in the Investec Oaks ante post betting in the shape of Minding (6/5 favourite) and Ballydoyle (4/1), but improving stable companion Somehow looks decent value at 10/1 with Coral to land this year’s renewal of the fillies’ classic over 1m 4f at Epsom on Friday, June 3rd.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock made her racecourse debut over 7f at Leopardstown back in October and shaped with bags of promise when a 2 3/4 length third of 13 to Pretty Perfect when looking badly in need of the experience.
Somehow duly came on a ton for that outing and created a good impression when making a winning return to action in a 1m 2f contest at Leopardstown back in April.
After travelling well on the heels of the leaders, the three-year-old was produced to take up the running 1 1/2 furlongs from home going well before keeping on strongly to beat Shamreen by 1 3/4 lengths without being unduly knocked about.
The runner-up has since come out and scored, and the front two pulled 4 1/2 lengths clear of the field to give the form a strong look.
It was a most taking performance, and one which suggested Somehow needed keeping firmly onside.
Lots to like about Cheshire Oaks success
That view was confirmed when Somehow took the step up into Listed company in her stride to land the Cheshire Oaks over 1m 4f at Chester.
After being held-up by jockey Ryan Moore, Somehow still showed signs of greenness and had plenty to do as the leaders kicked for home at the two marker.
However, the penny then really began to drop and Somehow showed smart turn of foot when switched right to power home inside the final furlong and beat Moorside by 1/2 a length.
She was well on top at the finish and value for more than the winning margin, and it was an effort which suggested Somehow had a huge engine and was still far from the finished article.
Given it was just her third run since being late to the track it was a cracking effort, and O’Brien is a master at getting fillies to improve with their racing.
Somehow has a similar profile to O’Brien’s Peeping Fawn who finished runner-up in the 2007 running of the Oaks before going on to land the Irish equivalent and two other Group 1 contests.
She is a scopey type open to any amount of improvement, and the experience gained around the tight turns of Chester will stand her in good stead at Epsom.
On a serious upward curve
Although the bare form of Somehow’s victories is far less superior to that of 1000 English Guineas winner Minding, and Ballydoyle, who finished runner-up in that contest at Newmarket, she has the potential to be anything and is clearly on an upward curve.
There are also no doubts whatsoever about Somehow getting the Oaks trip, unlike Minding who also had far from the ideal preparation for the race when banging her head on the stalls before finishing runner-up to Jet Setting in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
With Ballydoyle also having to recover from some below par blood tests which caused her to miss the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the big two now have questions to answer.
Somehow doesn’t. She heads into the Oaks in top form and has a progressive profile which makes her look a major player for a yard that have won the race five times, but not always with the supposed key players, as was scored at 20/1 in 2012 and Qualify created a huge shock when winning the race 12 months ago at a whopping 50/1.
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