Cinderella’s Dream waltzes to glory in G2 Saratoga Oaks

Cinderella's Dream added another Graded Stakes win to her blossoming profile with an easy victory in the G2 Saratoga Oaks on Friday, 2 August.

Having swooped from the rear to take the G1 Belmont Oaks on her US debut, the daughter of Shamardal was once again steadied in last of the five runners before moving up a spot entering the back.

Dancing N Dixie reclaimed fourth entering the far turn, although Cinderella’s Dream looked full of running when William Buick switched her wide at the top of the straight. The Charlie Appleby-trained filly cruised up to go second on the bridle entering the final furlong and readily ran down Kathynmarissa half a furlong out.

Cinderella’s Dream was eased close home to cross the line a length and a half in front, taking her career record to six wins from seven starts.

Charlie Appleby said: “Cinderella’s Dream has a great stride length on her. She isn’t the biggest but is suited to the tracks here. She gets round them well and is maturing with every run. She looked great heading into the race but the only concern we had was that she put in such a big run in the Belmont Oaks, and you wonder if it leaves a mark. Evidently, that wasn’t the case.

“In the Belmont Oaks, they went a good gallop and she had a lot of ground to make up. They have steadied the fractions on the front end today and, thankfully, it was a smaller field so William didn’t have to make up so much ground. She is becoming very versatile and a very professional filly out here.”

William Buick added: “Cinderella’s Dream felt great today. The pace was a bit slow and messy, but she has so many gears and I was always confident. I had one thing in my head, to keep her out of trouble, and she likes closing on horses. She showed there that she can do it, as she did at Aqueduct last time, and I think she is getting better. She is very exciting.”