John and Thady Gosden filly shoots to head of Oaks market after stunning debut success

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I’m The One surged into favouritism for the Betfred Oaks as she made a sparkling debut in the 1m2f fillies’ maiden.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, she was sent off the even-money favourite and despite a wide draw, she travelled strongly before quickening clear when shaken up by William Buick to win by six lengths. 

The victory continued the yard’s fine week, in which exciting hopes Oxagon, Portcullis and Damysus won at Newmarket's Craven meeting. I'm The One was also the Gosdens' fifth success in the race since 2017.

Thady Gosden said: “A natural next step would be a Classic trial and there are several options, some of those coming quite soon.

“She behaved very well first time in front of a big crowd. She was drawn wide and William had to use her early, which is not always easy for an inexperienced filly, but she travelled well and picked up nicely."

Buick added: “She was very good and you couldn’t ask for more from a first start. She was learning the whole way round and I like how she kept extending, she'll progress plenty from this."

Before the race, Roger Charlton, whose son Harry saddled the third-placed Take A View and 13th-placed Bintnaseefa, said about I'm The One: “The next Enable is in here, I gather."

William Hill were among some of the bookmakers to install her as the outright favourite for the Oaks at 7-1, replacing the Aidan O’Brien-trained Precise. I'm The One had been as big as 50-1 before her success.

William Hill's spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “She was compared to Enable before her run and whilst she’s still got a way to go to reach those heights, we could hardly be more impressed with her start and the punters are agreeing, seeing her shorten up markedly since her victory.”

More ante-post Oaks movement on Friday:

Epsom or Chantilly? Juddmonte filly cut to 8-1 for Oaks after routing Group 3 rivals under Colin Keane 

Betfred Oaks (4.00 Epsom, June 6)
Betfred: 7 I'm The One, 8 Abashiri, Ameila Earhart, Gilded Prize, Precise, 10 Diamond Necklace, 16 My Ophelia, 25 Legacy Link, Eretria, 33 bar.

Synchronicity shines

Synchronicity made a winning debut under Kieran ShoemarkCredit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Ed Walker felt the pressure before Synchronicity’s eagerly anticipated debut, but was left delighted as she came through her first assignment with flying colours.

Purchased for 900,000gns, she is a sister to three-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman and made a winning start to her career in the 7f fillies' maiden by two lengths.

Walker said: "She'd probably be the highest-profile, biggest-pressure debutante I've had, other than Lightning Polka for the King and Queen at Haydock last year. 

"I was pretty nervous and feeling the pressure a bit, but they say pressure is a privilege, and it's welcome. If you're not feeling the pressure, you probably haven't got the horses, but there was a degree of expectation."

Synchronicity is entered in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and was cut to 20-1 (from 33) by Unibet for the Irish Classic. She was also cut to 25-1 (from 50) with bet365 for the French 1,000 Guineas, but Walker could look to York’s Dante meeting instead.

He said: "She's obviously expensive, and she's got the pedigree to go with that, but she's been doing all the right things at home and will only improve. Ombudsman is an unbelievable horse, and so far she's following in his footsteps, but I think we'll go up to a mile next.

"Coming into this season, the plan was here, and if that went well, then the Listed Michael Seely at York could be an option. Whether it comes too soon, I'm not sure, but she's a really exciting filly."

Cross on top

Classic clues also emerged when Maltese Cross landed the feature 1m2f novice contest.

Trained by William Haggas, the Sea The Stars colt prevailed by a neck and was cut to 25-1 (from 33) by Paddy Power for the Derby.

Read more . . .

'This is beyond special' - emotional winner for jockey on mare named by his late grandmother 

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