Minnie driven out to Oaks glory

FAVOURITE Desert Flower floundered as Minnie Hauk swept past Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate Whirl to conquer the Betfred Oaks.

- By Melissa Jones

But once gathered up by Moore, the 9-2 chance found extra to edge a neck ahead of Whirl (15-2), with the 11-10 market leader Desert Flower four lengths back in third after finding the undulations too tough to handle.

In a thrilling conclusion to the fillies’ Classic at Epsom, Ryan Moore’s pick was pushed all the way by the gallant pace-setting runner-up.

The victory was the second leg of a Group One double for the jockey after he produced a brilliant ride to drive Jan Brueghel to success in the Coronation Cup.