Robert Havlin out to reward loyalty and win first Group 1 on Mehdaayih in Oaks

Robert Havlin is aiming to repay the loyalty shown to him by owner Nasser Lootah and trainer John Gosden by steering Mehdaayih to victory in the Investec Oaks on Friday after retaining the ride on the leading Classic contender.

However, punters were not as keen to remain behind Mehdaayih as she drifted to 3-1 (from 5-2) after the final field was confirmed on Wednesday and attention turned towards stablemate Anapurna, the mount of Frankie Dettori. Her price contracted to 6-1 (from 8) behind 9-4 favourite Pink Dogwood.

Havlin, 45, is an integral part of Gosden’s team at Clarehaven Stables and has never won a Group 1, having often operated on the yard’s lesser fancied runners. He has ridden Mehdaayih in four of her five starts, including when winning the Listed Cheshire Oaks by four and a half lengths, a performance that convinced connections to supplement her for Epsom at a cost of £30,000.

“It's one of the most high-profile rides I've had and thanks to the owners for putting their faith in me – Mehdaayih has got to go and do it now,” Havlin said on Wednesday. “Her turn of foot is her biggest asset and if she shows the same change of pace on quick ground as she does on soft then she'll run a big race in the Oaks.”

The rider’s skills and patience in the saddle are likely to be useful in helping to settle Mehdaayih, a daughter of Frankel who can get a little warm prior to running.

“She wears a hood in the paddock and can get on her toes but once she’s under way she’s very straightforward,” the rider said. “Like Anapurna, she wants to get on with things.

"Funnily enough I think our other runner Anapurna is my biggest danger. She was still green and raw when winning the Lingfield Oaks Trial and the time was only half a second off that posted by Anthony Van Dyck in the Derby Trial on the same day."

Anapurna was partnered by Dettori when winning at Lingfield and Gosden said the continuity of riding arrangements for his fillies is helpful.

"The owner of Mehdaayih wanted to stay loyal to Rab as he's won on her three times,” the champion trainer said. "Frankie’s more than happy to be riding Anapurna, who he won on at Lingfield. Effectively they're riding the same fillies they won the trials on."

Gosden’s duo feature among 14 fillies declared for the Oaks, while favourite Pink Dogwood leads a quartet representing Aidan O’Brien. The Ballydoyle trainer is seeking a third British Classic this season having won the 2,000 Guineas with Magna Grecia and the 1,000 Guineas with Hermosa, who followed up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last weekend.

Pink Dogwood, the mount of Ryan Moore, will be joined by Fleeting, Delphinia and Peach Tree for O’Brien, with bookmakers wary of another Ballydoyle bashing.

Nicola McGeady, spokeswoman for Ladbrokes, said: “With Frankie riding Anapurna in the Oaks we’ve automatically seen a flurry of bets pour in. However, we are very much of the opinion that Pink Dogwood is the one they all have to beat and will look to keep her on side.”

O’Brien is also responsible for the favourite in Friday’s Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup, with Kew Gardens heading a field of ten.

Old Persian, supplemented for £25,000, Lah Ti Dar and Salouen are among the opposition, and Sylvester Kirk, trainer of the latter, hopes to go one better than last year when only just failing to hold off favourite Cracksman.

Salouen gained a deserved win at Ascot last time after a series of gallant efforts, and Kirk told the Qipco British Champions Series: “That win can only have helped. It shows he’s retained all his vim and vigour. He’s a five-year-old colt and sometimes their minds can stray but, on the other hand, they can also continue to improve and hopefully he’s in the second category.

“He’s come out of Ascot in great form and couldn't be better. Physically we're very happy with him and he’s bouncing at home. He’s amazingly well.”

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app

The Racing Post Royal Ascot 2019 Guide, featuring the must-have info for the biggest five days in the Flat racing calendar, is available to buy now! The 208-page book contains profiles of the leading big-race contenders plus key trainer and jockey lowdowns, punting pointers and in-depth guides to all 30 races. Buy your copy, priced at £12.99, from the Racing Post Shophere