Oaks next for Fastnet filly after 6l stakes win

Aidan O’Brien looks set to run Diamondsandrubies (3f Fastnet Rock-Quarter Moon, by Sadler’s Wells) in the G1 Oaks at Epsom after her six-length victory in the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester on Wednesday. The blue-blooded filly, whose dam Quarter Moon finished runner-up in the Oaks, was sent off a well-backed winner at Chester as she coasted home under Ryan Moore. “We’re delighted with that performance,” said Coolmore’s UK representative, Kevin Buckley. “She missed the break slightly so Ryan had to kick her on a bit. She settled into the race really nicely, Ryan said he got a good feel from her and then unfortunately she got a slap in the face from a whip in the straight which knocked her concentration a little. But when Ryan pressed the button she responded well and went away to score in decisive fashion.” Diamondsandrubies is now 7/1 third-favourite for the Oaks and Buckley added:  “We spoke to Aidan after the race and the Investec Oaks is her next target. There’s plenty of stamina on the dam’s side. It’s interesting that Fastnet Rock’s progeny have always had a lot of speed but now that he’s covered in the northern hemisphere to some more staying-induced mares, he has been able to put some stamina into his progeny as well. The likes of Dermot Weld’s Fascinating Rock the other day are showing that the Fastnet Rocks are coming on as they get older and mature.”