Sariska thrills in the Oaks

Epsom Oaks antepost favourite, Sariska, rewarded her backers with a nail-biting victory on Friday, defeating Henry Cecil’s Midday by a nose. High Heeled finished in third, leaving antepost joint-favourite Rainbow View to settle for fourth place.

Sariska looked to be well in control in the final furlongs of the Epsom Oaks, leading a breakaway trio that included Midday and High Heeled.
The filly then appeared to slow going into the final furlong, allowing Midday into the race, and a stewards enquiry was ultimately required to decide the winner of the race.

“She’s always shown us huge potential at home and ever since the day she started working I thought she was a star,” Bell told the BBC after the race. “She fulfilled all my expectations and we’re so thrilled to have her. It is a huge thrill to win this race and I’m very lucky to have been given the chance to train her.”

The win handed Michael Bell his first Oaks title, and the second Classic win of his career. The trainer had previously won the Epsom Derby with Motivator.