Cecil eyes yet more Oaks success

It has been a long road back to the top of British horse racing for Henry Cecil, but the ten-times champion trainer issued a bullish report on his two fillies.

Cecil, who has won the one mile four furlong contest a record-equalling eight times, believes he saddles one of his strongest teams (Timepiece and Aviate) going into the fillies’ Classic at the south of London course.

“The Oaks looks quite open this year, with several inexperienced fillies,” Cecil told in a telephone interview.

“I’m not saying I’m going to win it, but I’m very happy with the two I’ve got and I wouldn’t swap them.”

Cecil last won the Oaks with Light Shift in 2007, a victory which stemmed what appeared to be an almost terminal decline in his skills as a trainer. Having endured the sadness of seeing his twin brother die of cancer in 2000, an illness which would affect his stomach several years later, Cecil trained just 12 winners in 2005.

And yet one of the most popular British trainers of the modern era has already surpassed that tally this year and also carries a live chance of securing his fifth Derby — English flat racing’s premier Classic — at Epsom on Saturday with Bullet Train.

“It’s very kind of the public,” the 67-year-old Cecil said of the affection he receives from racegoers. “They have been very supportive, and I’m very much enjoying this way of life again. Long may it continue.”

Light Shift’s victory was the last time Cecil ran two fillies in the Oaks. Passage Of Time, who finished tenth that day, is a half-sister to Timepiece, and both are owned by Cecil’s long-standing patron Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

It is a family of thoroughbreds that Cecil knows well and perhaps it is that familiarity and fondness with the breed that may have clouded his judgement.

Timepiece is undoubtedly talented, but her lofty reputation was dented on her latest run when she finished second last month to Dyna Waltz in the Lingfield Oaks trial, a race which Cecil used as a springboard for success with Lady Carla and Ramruna in 1996 and 1999 respectively.

Abdullah’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, certainly subscribes to this idea. “Henry has always had a soft spot for Timepiece,” he said.

“I think she’s got a lot to prove now. She worked all over Bullet Train before Lingfield. She’s still an unknown. Perhaps she’ll be a nice surprise.”

Cecil’s belief in the daughter of Clepsydra is unshakable, however, and he quickly wrote off Timepiece’s below-par effort. “Rightly or wrongly, I think that trial was a funny race as they went too fast down the hill,” Cecil said.

“I think I’ll have her ridden differently, she’s got plenty of ability.”

Cecil’s record in the race speaks for itself, and even if Timepiece doesn’t strike, Aviate’s victory in the Musidora Stakes at York, northern England, last month marks her down as an exceptional filly.

Boxed in all the way down the wide expanse of the Knavesmire, when the opening came she accelerated through to win in style.

“She’s an improving filly,” Cecil enthused. “She’s sure to stay the trip, too.”

With such an impressive Epsom CV, it is clear Cecil understands what is required to master the course’s unique camber.

And with lively chances in the Oaks, and a shot at the Derby, there would be no more popular winner of the two races.