Racing News
	Tuesday 22nd July 2014

Yorkshire Oaks rematch on cards for Bracelet and Volume

The Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on July 19 produced a stirring finish in which Aidan O’Brien once again carried off the spoils courtesy of his smart filly Bracelet, who just got the better of stable companion Tapestry and Luca Cumani’s Volume in a thrilling three-way battle for the classic contest.

The race was controversially delayed for over 20 minutes by Volume having to have her shoes replaced on account of having originally been plated with shoes deemed illegal in Ireland. Cumani apologised to all for the incident, appearing to genuinely have been unaware that the ‘trailers’ attached to Volume’s hind shoes – legal in most international racing jurisdictions – are not permitted in the Emerald Isle. The delay caused a number of fillies – principally Tapestry – to sweat up badly on a hot, muggy day.

Volume, Bracelet and Tapestry

Once re-shod Volume ran a tremendous race, making the running and having most of her rivals in big trouble two furlongs from home. She was eventually worn down though by the Colm O’Donoghue-ridden Ribblesdale Stakes heroine Bracelet just inside the final furlong, but kept on to be beaten less than a length, eventually giving second-best close home to Tapestry.

For her part Bracelet proved that she has abundant stamina together with a decent change of gear for a middle-distance performer and connections seem likely to look seriously at a bid for the Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire in mid-August, a contest that has also been earmarked in the race guides online as the next port of call for Volume.

While there shouldn’t be much between the Irish Oaks first and third at York, Bracelet appears the one most likely to come out on top again, her stalking style of racing being ideally suited to the 12-furlong contests.

By Montjeu out of the classy Cherry Hinton, Bracelet is already worth a large fortune as a broodmare and should be a tremendous addition to the Coolmore stock when she retires from racing.