'I think she can do nothing but improve' - Legacy Link cut to 5-1 for the Oaks after hard-fought Musidora success

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I'm The One. No, I am. If you train a huge string of choicely bred three-year-olds, the chances are that something will step in if your first choice goes awry.

That is how it worked out for John and Thady Gosden as one "exceptionally talented filly" replaced another at the forefront of the Betfred Oaks betting in ten minutes or so on Wednesday afternoon.

I'm The One, a Sea The Stars daughter of a Group 1 winner, had been prominent in the market behind her recent conqueror Amelia Earhart, only for John Gosden to reveal in a television interview that the Cheshire Oaks runner-up was set to miss Epsom.

But he was speaking just before the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, in which the yard was poised to run Frankel's niece Legacy Link. And shortly afterwards Gosden was back on the mic talking about a Juddmonte homebred who is now a best-priced 5-1 second favourite for the Oaks after a resolute display in the most valuable of the recognised trials. 

Not that the first part of the 131 seconds it took to run the Group 3 1m2½f Musidora Stakes shouted Classic winner, as Colin Keane's mount went to the right from the stalls and showed distinct signs of inexperience.

But she was very good in the straight, moving easily into the lead over two furlongs out, then battling splendidly to get the better of a duel with the promising Felicitas to secure her yard's ninth win in the race by three-quarters of a length.

"She did well," said Gosden. "She was a little green early on; she was fresh first time out and broke away from the others on the outside. She got herself organised, then she got on the wrong lead around the bend, leading on the off-fore instead of the near-fore. She's just learning.

"What I liked was that she came through the race and then it looked like she felt she'd done enough and then the other filly came to her – and that's a very nice filly, I thought she was superb when she won at Sandown.

"I think it was a very good trial, and I liked the way she fought her way back and galloped out strongly."

Felicitas and K Sarra follow Legacy Link home in the MusidoraCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Stepping up to a mile and a half in the Oaks is now very much on the cards.

"Colin feels she should go to Epsom," said Gosden. "I mentioned the Prix de Diane before but, all being well, we'll go to Epsom.

"She's got a great mind but she was short of match practice. I'd like to have got a run into her earlier, but there was nowhere to go. It's been a funny year, standing here with a Mac in May. It's not ideal weather for fillies. I think she can do nothing but improve for a race."

Asked how Legacy Link compares to I'm The One, Gosden said: "They never work together but, to me, she's an exceptionally talented filly as well. 

"We'll just get I'm The One right. I spoke to the owner this morning. I've been a little concerned about her since the race at Chester; she just hasn't come right. She'll be back later in the season but she won't be going to Epsom. It's profoundly frustrating, but that's the nature of the game."

When it was suggested he now had another filly to take her place, the joint-trainer said: "It's not quite the same. You want to be like Aidan O'Brien and go with about four!"

Legacy Link could now appear at Epsom's traditional pre-Derby gallops morning, while the Ed Walker-trained Felicitas looks to be heading to Chantilly.

Jockey Kieran Shoemark said: "It was her third start and we could only be pleased with that. I'm not convinced she'll stay further and the Prix de Diane could be a race to target."

Betfred Oaks (Epsom, June 5)
Betfred: 9-4 Amelia Earhart, 5 Legacy Link, 8 Diamond Necklace, 12 Cameo, Felicitas, Precise, Venetian Lace, 14 Abashiri, 16 Earth Shot, 20 bar.

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'I think she can do nothing but improve' - Legacy Link cut to 5-1 for the Oaks after hard-fought Musidora success 

Running in the family: Frankel's niece Legacy Link picks up Group victory at York 

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