Simply Katie may be Oaks candidate

SIMPLY KATIE scooted home at Beverley yesterday to leave connections dreaming of an ambitious tilt at the Oaks.

A winner of her only previous race on the Lingfield sand, David Loder's charge was sent off the 2 to 1 second favourite of three in the Leconfield Fillies' Conditions Stakes.

But she was always calling the shots from the front under Michael Hills and stretched away in great style in the closing stages to thump the odds on Miss Riviera by eight lengths.

Breeder and part owner Peter Player, the chairman of Newmarket racecourse, said: "She might go for the Lingfield Oaks trial now and we might then consider supplementing for the Oaks."

Simply Katie, a daughter of Most Welcome, has turned out far better than expected. "She's a very progressive filly but we decided to start her off on the sand because she's been lazy at home," said Loder's assistant Ricky Bowman. "It seems that she reserves her best for the racecourse."

"She's definitely going to get one and a half miles and it's possible we will go for one of the Oaks trials next and take it from there."

Hills initiated a double when William Haggas' new recruit Total Aloof showed a fine turn of speed to collect the Hutton Cranswick Maiden.