Al Agaila edges victory in Winter Oaks thriller
Al Agaila brought up a hat-trick when shading a thrilling finish to the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield.
The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly made a successful step up to 10 furlongs in the Winter Oaks Trial in December and was sent off the 10-11 favourite to land the feature on the Saturday of the track’s Winter Million weekend.
Settled in fourth by James Doyle, the Classic-winning rider was in no rush to make any significant move in the early stages and then began to squeeze his mount forward as the eight-strong field approached the home turn.
Superb finish! Al Agaila wins the £100,000 talkSPORT Winter Oaks at @LingfieldPark for @the_doyler and @gainsboroughHQ… pic.twitter.com/mnd1A6CAqL
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 21, 2023
Angled wide, the daughter of Lope De Vega soon breezed into a position to strike, but as the runners straightened for the closing stages, Al Agaila was joined by the William Haggas-trained Morgan Fairy and Harry Eustace’s Makinmedoit – with the three fillies soon locked in a titanic battle to the line.
The trio matched strides all the way up the Lingfield home straight, but it was Doyle who conjured up extra from his mount in the shadow of the post to land the £51,540 first prize.
“We are really delighted with her,” said Simon Crisford. “It was a slowly-run race and she would have benefitted from a stronger pace.
“James Doyle always thought he was going to win and the filly was very tough and courageous. She is improving the whole time – she had to defy an 11lb rise in the weights today and has acquitted herself with great credit.”
The €240,000 buy has now earnt a crack at the Betuk Winter Derby over the same track and trip on February 25 – where opposition could include King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Pyledriver.
“She’s a possibility for the Winter Derby back at Lingfield and we’ll just have to see where the filly takes us,” continued Crisford.
“You never know with these fillies where they will take you when they start improving. Right now she’s doing exceptionally well and improving. She has a good attitude and is going the right way. It was a very strong effort and she ran with great credit.
“The Winter Derby, if she goes there, will be a completely different proposition – she’ll be running against Pyledriver and Lord North.
“Let’s see how she copes in a race like that before we start making any summer plans or anything like that.”
