Hughie Morrison: could be two-handed in the Oaks after Coquet's success
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)Coquet denies Minidress to enter Oaks picture
Report: Goodwood, Thursday
Height of Fashion Stakes (Listed) 3yo, fillies, 1m2f
COQUET made it three wins from her last three starts to make herself a viable contender for the Investec Oaks.
Rab Havlin's mount held off the late charge of Godolphin's Minidress, while Gathering faded into third having hit the front first of the trio.
Paddy Power make Coquet a 20-1 chance (from 33s) for the June 1 Classic. BetVictor are bigger at 25-1.
Trainer Hughie Morrison was satisfied with the 100-30 favourite and said: "Rab gave her a lovely ride. She might not have the most ability but she's certainly tough.
"Of course the Oaks dream is still alive. She won't have to do much between now and then and she looked big in the paddock. Rab will ride her at Epsom, while Darryl [Holland] will be on Shirocco Star ."
That latter enhanced her Oaks credentials when a close second in the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial at Newbury last week. So Morrison could be two-handed as he bids for a first Classic.
The winner was one of only two entered for Epsom. The other, Nayarra, did not advance her claims, not handling the downhill section of the track too well.
Minidress has no Oaks entry, but she could be the one to take out of the race as she stayed on well and was given a pretty sympathetic ride by Mickael Barzalona. It was a bit of welcome relief for Mahmood Al Zarooni's string, who have yet to take off this term.
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