Minnie Hauk Goes for Rare Oaks Treble in Yorkshire Oaks

Minnie Hauk (IRE) faces just three rivals Aug. 21 at York Racecourse in her quest to secure a group 1 Oaks treble and emulate high-class Ballydoyle predecessors Alexandrova (2006) and Snowfall (2021). The last time only four runners lined up for the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) was in 2019, when Enable (GB) frightened off the bulk of the competition and justified odds of 1-4 when beating Magical (IRE) to secure her second victory in the race. Minnie Hauk's trainer Aidan O'Brien has saddled the winner in four of the last five years and is going for three wins on the bounce after Content brought his total haul to eight winners 12 months ago. Many of those eight went off a similar price to what Minnie Hauk is expected to, with Alexandrova, Peeping Fawn, and Love all starting 4-9 favorite, while Snowfall justified odds of 8-15. This season, a decisive win in the listed Cheshire Oaks was followed by a neck victory over stablemate Whirl (IRE)—who has since landed the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1)—in the Oaks (G1) at Epsom, before she justified 2-11 favoritism in straightforward fashion to record a classic double at the Curragh. With Ryan Moore aboard Minnie Hauk in the 1 1/2-mile race, Wayne Lordan takes the ride on stablemate Garden of Eden (IRE), who excelled when stepped up to a mile and a half in the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, powering 3 1/4 lengths clear. She ran below that level on unsuitably soft ground when ninth of 14 in the German Oaks (G2) at Dusseldorf 18 days ago. O'Brien said: "Minnie Hauk seems to have been in good form since the Irish Oaks. She's a lovely filly and we think the track will suit her." Estrange (IRE) looks the biggest danger to the favorite and after sounding warnings about the suitability of fast ground, David O'Meara has offered a positive update on her likely participation after walking the track Aug. 20. Such precaution is understandable given her only defeat in her five-race career came on the one occasion she encountered good-to-firm ground, in the John Musker Fillies' Stakes at Yarmouth last September, when she finished seventh of 14. She won twice on soft ground last year, and on her return in May looked a hugely exciting filly when bolting up in the Pinnacle Stakes (G3) at Haydock. She was less impressive back at the same track last month when winning the Lancashire Oaks (G2) by a neck. Both those victories came on good ground. O'Meara said: "She's in good form. I'm not too worried about the ground, they've put plenty of water down and I was happy when I walked it the other day. "We're looking forward to the race and she's had a really good season so far. It won't be easy conceding nine pounds to Minnie Hauk, but we'll give it a go." The Yorkshire Oaks is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Yorkshire Oaks to start in the Filly & Mare Turf. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.