Princess Sharon to outlast Oaks field

PRINCESS SHARON and MAMMA MIA, fillies who ran colts and geldings ragged in the 10-furlong Jamaica St Leger, setting up another filly, THALITA, to swoop for the kill coming off the home turn, square off in Saturday's Jamaica Oaks after both playing rabbit for stablemates last time out.

Whereas Jason DaCosta openly admitted after the St Leger that 1000 Guineas-winner MAMMA MIA's role was to go out hard with the intent to unsettle the St Leger field, he didn't count on Fitzroy Glispie's PRINCESS SHARON sinking her claws into the leader from the half-mile, surprisingly turning for home in front with stablemate MONEY MISER trying to close the relay.

THALITA saved the day for DaCosta, storming to the lead a furlong out to land the St Leger, but the surprise of the race, apart from howling favourite MOJITO finishing down the track, was PRINCESS SHARON's big run on her fourth start, going past MAMMA MIA on the home turn and staying on impressively for third, six lengths behind the five-length winner.

MAMMA MIA's game plan will be simple in the Oaks, get to the lead and stay. However, the improvement shown by PRINCESS SHARON in the St Leger, sticking it to the Guineas winner down the backstretch and cruising past her off the home turn, suggests she should again outstay her rival, who finished a well-beaten fifth, weakening rapidly inside the final furlong.

Having proven her stamina in the St Leger, finishing eight lengths ahead of MAMMA MIA, PRINCESS SHARON can now rely on other improving speed horses such as ESSENTIAL QUALITY and LADY ABHIMALA to keep the quicky honest down the backstretch before making her bid.

However, having won the 1000 Guineas in a stirring rally to turn back stablemate THALITA at a mile, MAMMA MIA can be dangerous out front if PRINCESS SHARON is too far off when the pace quickens, suggesting Tevin Foster will have to be alert to Philip Parchment's front-running tactics.

Soul Warrior-sired MAMMA MIA and PRINCESS SHARON should put on an excellent show. However, the nod goes to the filly who placed third in the St Leger on her fourth start, suggesting she can only be better with that big run under her girth.