French Make Clean Sweep in Epsom Oaks Renewal: Sun Cap Wins by Eight Lengths; Minor Awards to Altana, Philante, Daily Racing Form, 1954-06-05

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French Make Clean Sweep In Epsom Oaks Renewal Sun Cap Wins by Eight Lengths; Minor Awards to Altana, Philante By VERNON MORGAN Reuters Sports Editor. EPSOM DOWNS, Epsom, England, June 4. France made a clean sweep of the Oaks, the fillies classic, run over 12 furlongs here today with Madame Robert Forgets 100-to-8 shot, Sun Cap, winning easily by six lengths. Marcel Boussacs Altana, 8-to-l joint favorite, was second with Paul Du-boscqs .Philante, at 20-to-l, a length back in third place among the field of 21 starters. Sun Cap, the only gray in the race, was ridden by Australias big race specialist, Rae Johnstone. She is trained in France by Richard Carver. Altana was handled by Manny Mercer while the French jockey, Jacques DYasbere was astride Philante. It looked like a British victory and a royal one, too, yhen Queen Elizabeths purple and gold silks, carried by Angel Bright, swept round Tatenham Corner in the lead, with Sybils Niece, Festoon and Amora all close by. But as they started the battle up Continued on Page Forty-Seven French Make Clean Sweep In Epsom Oaks Renewal Sun Cap Wins by Eight Lengths; Minor Awards to Altana, Philante Continued from Page Six the home straightaway, the French fillies came up fast and away went the hopes of a Royal victory. Aga Khans English-trained Bara Dibi made a valiant attempt to keep third place for Britain but Philante just prevailed after the photo finish made it one, two three for France. Mrs. Elizabeth Grahams Hypera, her beautiful action handicapped by the firm track, held on strongly to finish sixth. Queen Elizabeth and members of the Royal family watched the race in glorious sunny weather. Sun Cap is by Sunny Boy Cappellina. Once she burst ahead about a furlong out, nothing could live with her. She covered the 12 furlongs in 2: 39. Thus the Derby went to the United States and the Oaks to France. Ace reinsman Johnstone was winning the Oaks for the third time and today was his twenty-sixth European classic win. Sun Cap was away slowly. Sybils Niece led Plain Song, Angel Bright and Festoon over the first furlong. Sybils Niece, who started as 8-to-l joint favorite with Altana, still led at the half-mile post followed by Angel Bright, Ferry Box, Amora, Festoon and Philante. Angel Bright took over from Sybils Niece as the field rushed round Tat-tenham Corner with Philante and Festoon close up, while Sun Cap was making up ground fast. Half way up the straightaway, Sun Cap and Altana challenged. They soon mastered the weakening English fillies in the lead and Sun Cap spurted away to win unchallenged from her two French rivals. Bara-bibi was a short head away in fourth place, with Festoon, fifth; Hypera, sixth; Alfresco, seventh; Brilliant Green, eighth; Aliscia, ninth; Angel Bright tenth. Plain Song was last.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1954060501/drf1954060501_6_5
Local Identifier: drf1954060501_6_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800