The Betfred Oaks is the feature race on the first of the two-day Derby meeting at Epsom. (Pic: Courtesy of Jockey Club Racecourses).

By Simon Jackson

EZELIYA is taken to land the Betfred Oaks at Epsom on Friday and provide trainer Dermot Weld with a 25th English or Irish Classic winner.

Weld first won the Oaks with Blue Wind 42 years ago and appears upbeat on the chances of Ezeliya, a winner of two of her three runs that includes a last-start win in a Group 3 over 10 furlongs at Navan on April 27.

The forecast softer underfoot conditions should pose no problems for the daughter of Dubawi who has won on both good and soft/heavy going and she is fancied to provide another Epsom Classic win for Weld who won the 2016 Derby with Harzand.

“I’ve had 24 winners of English and Irish Classics, but Blue Wind was the first and so that was a very special day for me,” Weld said.

“She was a very good filly who went on to win the Irish Oaks and ended the season the champion filly of Europe. She was a big, strong filly and she won by seven lengths from Madam Gay, who went on to win the Prix de Diane.

“I’ve only had a few runners at Epsom, but it’s been lucky for me. I also won the Derby with Harzand and we were second in the Oaks with Tarfasha, who was beaten only by another very high-class filly in Taghrooda.”

Ezeliya put herself firmly in the Oaks picture by winning the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan. Weld said, when speaking to representatives of the British Champions series: “The form was let down a little bit in the Irish 1000 Guineas, but I’m satisfied with my filly.

“She’s a medium-sized filly with quality and I expect her to run a good race. She’s never been over a mile and a half but she gives every impression that the trip will suit. We hope it will, but I can assure you she isn’t short of pace.”