Sport

Three Moons suffers setback and will miss Friday's Oaks

EPSOM OAKS NEWS ROUND-UP: THREE MOONS has been ruled out of the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday after suffering a setback

Wed Jun 03 2009 - 01:00

EPSOM OAKS NEWS ROUND-UP:THREE MOONS has been ruled out of the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday after suffering a setback. Trainer Harry Dunlop revealed the Montjeu filly had sustained a minor injury yesterday morning during her final workout ahead of the Classic.

“Unfortunately she picked up a minor injury while having her final piece of work before the Oaks so she will not be running at Epsom on Friday,” the Newmarket-based handler said.

“Obviously it’s a bit gutting and we are disappointed but these things happen in racing and we just didn’t feel it was worth taking a risk with her.

“There are still some nice races to run her in later in the year and she is in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, but we just want to get the next few days out of the way before we make any plans.”

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Three Moons had been 20 to 1 to give Dunlop a first Classic success in a race his brother, Ed, won with Ouija Board in 2004 and his father, John, has secured twice through Circus Plume (1984) and Salsabil (1990).

In contrast, ante-post favourite Sariska came through her last piece of work with flying colours. Her big-race jockey Jamie Spencer was in the saddle as the daughter of Pivotal did everything right in the spin on the Newmarket gallops with a stable companion.

The Michael Bell-trained filly leapt to the head of the betting following a convincing victory in the Musidora Stakes at York last month and is generally available at 5-2.

“She had a gentle pipe-opener just to show us that she’s well and she did everything she was asked to do,” said Hugo Lascelles, racing advisor to owner Lady Bamford. “It was just a piece of work to tell us if she’s fit and ticking over and everything was fine. “We just hope the ground is going to be safe.”

Ireland’s interests are represented by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Perfect Truth and Jim Bolger’s Oh Goodness Me

Meanwhile, Dubai Sheema Classic winner Eastern Anthem is set for his first start in Britain this season in Friday’s other Epsom feature, the Investec Coronation Cup.

The five-year-old entire sprung a surprise at Nad Al Sheba when trained by Mohammed bin Shafya but rejoins Saeed bin Suroor for a European campaign this summer.

Eastern Anthem had the likes of Spanish Moon, Purple Moon and Youmzain behind him that day but connections are expecting him to improve for the run.

“He worked this morning with Kite Wood,” said bin Suroor. “He will need the race. I think he will improve for it but he is working nicely.

“That is his distance, a mile and a half, and we had him last summer before he was in Dubai but I think he will improve for the run. We’ll keep our options open for him after this and see how he comes out of this race, but we need to see how he runs first before we decide on Ascot or anything else.”

Mick Channon’s dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Youmzain warmed up for Epsom with a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Monday.

Beaten by Dylan Thomas and Zarkava in the last two runnings of France’s premier race, the six-year-old appears to retain all of his ability. Channon said: “He’s in great nick and I think he’s a worthy favourite for the race.”