Desert Flower brave in defeat with G1 Oaks third

Desert Flower found the combination of the unique Epsom Downs course and good to soft ground against her as she finished a game third in the G1 Oaks on Friday, 6 June.

The Night Of Thunder filly brought an unbeaten profile into her first start over a mile and a half following five wins over shorter, including an all-the-way success in the G1 1,000 Guineas on her seasonal return.

After breaking on terms from her inside draw, Desert Flower soon raced in fourth on the inside of Wemightakedlongway as Whirl was sent on into a three-length lead over her stablemate Minnie Hauk.

Desert Flower failed to handle the downhill part of the track approaching Tattenham Corner as fluently as her rivals and had to be pushed along by William Buick to maintain her position approaching the final half-mile.

Having looked one-paced passing the three-furlong marker, Desert Flower rallied two furlongs out to take third from Wemightakedlongway over a furlong from home, despite looking ill at ease on the camber.

Desert Flower continued to battle all the way to the line, with the Charlie Appleby-trained runner finishing four lengths behind Minnie Hauk and Whirl.

Charlie Appleby said: “I was happy enough with Desert Flower travelling through the race as she switched off well. She has shown in all of her races that she hits a flat spot before picking up and going through the gears. Coming around Tattenham Corner, I thought maybe that is what she was doing because she did come off the bridle early. I thought she was going to pick up to the line, which to an extent she did, but just not with the venom we have seen over the mile.

“William’s first opinion getting off her was that the ground was slow enough for her on this track. She has won on slow ground before, but I do take on board that, on this track, slower conditions can catch out a good-moving filly. Her main attribute is her stride length and that is what we have seen her use on the straight tracks.

“William suggested dropping back to a mile and a quarter, although I would not want to jump into that just yet. He just said in the last furlong we were battling away but without the kick you need to win over this trip at this level. We will let the dust settle, but I would be keen to get her back on a conventional track, with hopefully a sounder surface.”