Post by BVADMIN on Oct 21, 2019 22:26:27 GMT
Swindon Oaks news...
THE English Oaks have been confirmed by Swindon with the bitches' classic building to a £15,000 final on Saturday, December 14, writes Jonathan Kay of the Racing Post..
The Wiltshire venue will be staging the competition for a second time following the success of Kevin Hutton's Ravenswood Flo in 2018 but there are some changes, most notably a compressed format.
Last year's event took place over four weekends but this year's comprises three and follows the template of the Produce Stakes, Swindon's other Category One event which is staged in July.
As a result, heats are on Saturday, November 30, quarter-finals on Wednesday, December 4 and semis on Monday, December 9. Open to 72 bitches, entries will close on Wednesday, November 27 at 2pm which will notionally enable first round eliminations from the British Bred Derby at Sheffield the night before to be rerouted.
Having been backed by owner John Turner last year, the 2019 English Oaks is being self-funded by Swindon but the prize money structure has been maintained.
Assistant GM Peter Geeves said: “The other difference is the new distance of 476m which has been a huge success.
“I think it is generally acknowledged that there is less trouble at the bends than when we had the 480m prior to the circuit alterations.
“We have tweaked qualifying so that three first three go through in the first two rounds leaving us with three semi final, from which two will qualify for the final.
“It's a big commitment financially but hopefully will help put to bed rumours about the place. Things are going well and we had well over 2,000 here last week for the speedway championship final that the Swindon Robins won.”