HENRY CECIL delivered a seventh Musidora Stakes recital at York yesterday to put himself on target to secure another fillies' classic double with Reams of Verse.
He looks set to repeat the 1,000 Guineas-Oaks triumph of last year, achieved with Bosra Sham and Lady Carla, if Reams of Verse can follow up Sleepytime's Newmarket triumph at Epsom.
The omens could not be better after Reams of Verse, who had finished sixth behind her stable-mate in the 1,000 Guineas, romped to an 11-length victory in the classic trial.
She pulverised the opposition, led home by Vagabond Chanteuse and Etoile, to emulate leading colt Entrepreneur, the odds-on favourite for the Derby, by earning an odds-on quote for the Oaks.
The Tote slashed her from 5 to 1 to 4 to 5 favourite. She is evens (from 7 to 1) with William Hill, while Ladbrokes' initial quote of 7 to 4 had been cut to 5 to 4 by the close of business.
"That was impressive. She showed she has a good turn of foot, is very relaxed and should gets the trip," said Cecil.
"We will see how Yashmak runs at Newbury on Friday and then see what Prince Khalid Abdullah wants to do, but at least we have an Oaks runner for him."
Cecil's jockey Kieren Fallon is no doubt that the daughter of the miler Nureyev can last beyond yesterday's one-mile, two-furlong trip. "When I rode her yesterday (Monday) it was the most excited I've been all year," he enthused. "It really was unbelievable. The only other horse that has given me such a feel is Bosra Sham."
Also at York, Michael Hills ended 10 days of frustration to pass a personal milestone by riding his 1,000th winner in Britain. He joined a select group of riders when guiding The Fly, trained by his father, Barry, to capture the Shepherd Trophy Rated Handicap.
Hills (34), had been stuck on 999 since scoring on Germano at Newmarket on May 3rd, and came agonisingly close to reaching four figures on his favourite horse Further Flight at Chester last Thursday.
"I've had lots of seconds and thirds and three quarters of them have been photos," said Hills.
"When the ground changed a lot of my good rides came out. I thought I would do it on Further Flight but this horse is related to him anyway.
"It's especially nice to do it on one of Dad's. He's been such a good supporter of my career.
Leading trainer Luca Cumani was fined £700 by the stewards for contravening the non-triers' rule. The officials took exception to the running and riding of Zaralaska in the Yorkshire Life Magazine Handicap. They deemed that the gelding was given an easy race before finishing fifth.
Apprentice jockey Royston Ffrench was hit with a four-day ban (May 22nd-24th and 26th) while Zaralaska is suspended for 30 days from May 16th to June 16th.
Cumani, a winner of the Derby with Kahyasi, is the highest pro-file trainer to be punished under the non-triers' rule. Contacted on his mobile phone after leaving the racecourse Cumani declined to make any comment.
Stewards' secretary Anthony Gillam said: "The horse was given an unduly easy race and we weren't satisfied with the explanations. When deciding on the fine we took into account that the horse was ridden by an inexperienced jockey."
