Ryan Moore’s World Pool blog: Yorkshire Oaks Day

York | Race 1: G2 Lowther Stakes

AMERICA QUEEN was impressive on debut at Haydock, though I’m not sure about the strength of the race yet.

Haydock to York is a suitable next step as they are quite similar tracks, so she’s had the right prep for this. It’s hard to know whether she’s good enough to mix it in this company, but she’s exciting and Richard [Hughes] has a good team of two-year-olds to pick from.

York | Race 4: G1 Yorkshire Oaks

It’s a bit of a shame there are only four runners in this year’s renewal, and MINNIE HAUK is therefore probably going to be a very short-price favourite.

She’s been excellent on all three of her starts this year. She was a good winner of the Oaks at Epsom and did what she had to do at the Curragh to win the Irish Oaks too. York’s 1m4f (2400m) shouldn’t pose any problems and she’s the one they all have to beat.

I think Garden Of Eden should run better than she showed in Germany. She didn’t enjoy the ground that day and the track at Düsseldorf can be tricky. Estrange is an exciting filly who’s shown to be very good on her day. We don’t quite know if she wants cut in the ground or is just a bit fragile, but she’d be a danger if running up to her best. Qilin Queen won a Group 2 in France the last day but was a good bit behind Minnie Hauk in the Oaks, so would have to improve.

York | Race 5: Listed Galtres Stakes

I ride BUTTERFLY WINGS here.

You’d have to say she has been disappointing since winning her maiden at Leopardstown back in May. She did show a bit more last time behind Minnie Hauk in the Irish Oaks though, and if she can build on that she should be competitive at this lower level.

Of the others, Rainbows Edge went very close in a Listed race at this track last time and should be competitive. I wouldn’t have thought Dermot [Weld] would be sending Alice Monet over for the fresh air and it doesn’t look the strongest renewal of the Galtres, so she looks to have a chance too.

York | Race 6: Nursery Handicap

PEEL PARK won at Yarmouth when I rode him the last day.

He should take another step forward from that given it was only his third start and is open to improvement now stepping up in trip. This obviously requires a bit more though and it looks a fairly hot nursery.

York | Race 7: Fillies’ Handicap

I don’t know too much about DASH OF AZURE but Ralph Beckett’s horses have been running well.

She’s a winner over the trip and is open to improvement off her current handicap mark.