Lame So Mi Dar to miss Investec Oaks

So Mi Dar was found to be lame after some gentle exercise on Monday morning. Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com

John Gosden was in philosophical mood after last night ruling So Mi Dar out of the Investec Oaks on Friday fortnight.

Last week’s dazzling Musidora winner looked to have a leading chance of providing Gosden with a 19th success in the QIPCO British Champions Series at Epsom but was found to be lame on her left hind yesterday morning after being walked and trotted up.

The champion trainer believes she will not spend much time on the easy list and is already eyeing an alternative tilt at the Irish Oaks in mid-July, but the English version will come too soon.

In her absence, Minding, the runaway QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner, has generally hardened to 8-13 favourite.

“It’s a real disappointment because she’s a gorgeous filly who won in great style and we were all thrilled and looking forward to the Oaks, where the trip and track would have suited her,” said Gosden, who was talking at an Investec Derby Festival media event in Newmarket.

“She came out of the race great, but this morning she was lame on her left hind and was favouring her near hind. I told Andrew and Madeleine [Lloyd-Webber, the owners] and got the vet in and she is not right.

“We would call it a one to two out of five to grade it.

“She may well come right in ten days, but you cannot go to any major race thinking you can walk for ten days and suddenly be ready.

“The filly comes very much first and luckily I’m training for proper owner-breeders who understand the game. They took it well.”

So Mi Dar is unbeaten in three starts and took her form to a new level in the Group 3 contest at York, beating Fireglow by four lengths.

“I’m sure she’ll probably be back for the Irish Oaks, but sadly, not Epsom,” Gosden said.

“Such is life. Before I came here I went to see her and she was munching away on her feed and so I gave her a kiss on the nose and said ‘look we are going to talk about it’. She looked at me as if to say ‘I’m happy, you do whatever you like’.

“So there you go, it’s sad but she’s a non-runner.”

Gosden did offer an upbeat bulletin on Wings Of Desire, who thrust himself into the Investec Derby picture with victory in the Dante Stakes at York.

He has come out of the race well and the trainer is convinced he will relish stepping up to a mile and a half.