Imagine finished late and fast under Michael Kinane to land the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom today to give champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien his second success in the fillies' Classic. O'Brien had won the coveted prize three years ago with Shahtoush, also ridden by Kinane. Imagine, sent off the 3-1 favourite, was held up in the rear as Santa Isobel cut out the running at a good pace with Mameha and Mot Juste in touch.
The Queen's Flight Of Fancy, the 100-30 second favourite, travelled in mid-division for Kieren Fallon. As the field came down the hill, Relish The Thought made up ground on the inside going ominously well and once in line for home was kicked clear by Michael Hills.
But Kinane had the move covered and, biding his time, waited until inside the final furlong before unleashing his mount and she quickly settled the issue, running on to score by a length and a quarter from the staying-on Flight Of Fancy, who was twice denied a clear run, with Relish The Thought (10-1) a head back in third.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
