Richard Hughes and Passage Of Time winning the Tattersals Musidora Stakes

Passage Of Time is bringing a racing dynasty back into the picture
By Tom Krish

Jun 01, 2007

The story line on the Oaks to be run at Epsom Downs on Friday is not Passage Of Time, the 6-4 favorite. It is about the re-emergence of Henry Cecil, Passage Of Time's trainer.

Henry Cecil has won 23 British Classics. The best jockeys in the world rode for him. The top owners in the business were part of the Cecil establishment. Luck is cyclical and Henry Cecil's decline is coming to an end. The rise of Henry Cecil is being heralded. We may have evidence of his rise at Epsom Downs on Friday. Cecil has gone through a dry spell. He has not won a Classic in seven years. Passage Of Time is bringing a racing dynasty back into the picture.

Passage of Time has shown that a soft track will not be a problem. Her sophomore reappearance at York in the Musidora was pleasing. She was not spectacular but she was more than adequate. She beat the boys in the Criterium de Saint Cloud last year. Her work on the track has thrilled her supporters. There seem to be no detractors. Richard Hughes, the rider, has expressed optimism all along.

Henry Cecil said about Passage Of Time, "I did not think she was that good when she debuted at Yarmouth as a two year-old. Her maiden win came at Newmarket and she got better and I knew we had a serious filly when she won the Criterium. The throat abscess has not bothered her. My worry is that she idles when she hits the front. I hope she'll be much better with that Musidora race under her belt."

Talking about Light Shift, his other filly in the Oaks, Henry Cecil stated, "she is progressing very well. After wintering well, she won at Newbury first time out this year. She won the Cheshire Oaks in impressive fashion. She deserves a spot in the Oaks. Can Light Shift beat Passage Of Time? All I will say is that they are fully entitled to their places in the Oaks."

Olivier Peslier gets the call on Dalvina. Ed Dunlop trains Dalvina who is two for two in her career. Her six-length win in the Pretty Polly oozed with class. Ed Dunlop trained Ouija Board to win the 2004 Oaks.

Fourteen fillies will go postward in the Oaks and post time is 4.05 P.M. It will be 8.35 P.M in India. It is over 1 1/2 miles and it is a Group One event.

There are seven runners in the Group One Coronation Cup, also over 12 furlongs. Sir Percy, the 2006 Derby hero, is in the field. Martin Dwyer rides. Physical problems and lack of preparedness have hurt Sir Percy. His two runs subsequent to the Derby were disappointing. He was unplaced in the Champion Stakes and took fourth in Dubai in late March. Trainer Marcus Tregoning has consistently expressed confidence.

Sixties Icon won the St. Leger and flopped in the Arc. His seasonal bow was in the Jockey Club at Newmarket, a race he won decisively for Frankie Dettori.

Maraahel, a Michael Stoute trainee, is taking a chance in a Group One race. Richard Hills is the jockey. Maraahel is in good form. Aidan O'Brien is represented by Scorpion, the 2005 St. Leger winner and Septimus who has given every indication of readiness with a smart win this year.

I will take Passage Of Time to win the Oaks and give Henry Cecil his eighth victory in the Epsom Classic. She has shown resiliency. She has enough class. She can handle a soft track. Dalvina has not been tested. Her win in the Pretty Polly suggested there is more to come. I believe that it will be a lot more. The Frenchman, Olivier Peslier is a big race rider. Light Shift has not had a hiccup in her routine and is improving and will take a strong hand at the finish.

Sixties Icon is my choice in the Coronation Cup. There is no substitute to current form. After his St.Leger win last year, he was supplemented to the Arc, a measure of the connections' confidence. He has come back ready this year and Frankie Dettori knows Epsom as well as anybody.

Thursday was dry. The sun was out. Hopefully, the track will be less soft than expected. Epsom has been soaked in recent days and it will take a lot of sun for the drying process to work fully. I have my umbrella ready as I get ready to take a train to London Victoria. 

Friday is breaking with the sun out. There are clouds in the sky. I hope the (weather) experts are wrong. I also wish the (racing) experts are right about Passage Of Time.