By Brian Sheerin
Kenny McPeek has backed impressive Cheshire Oaks winner Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to fulfill her destiny at Epsom next month and revealed that he will be watching how the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly's career develops with interest.
It was in 2017 when the US-based trainer concocted a daring plan to take on the best middle-distance fillies in Europe with Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy), the dam of the new short-priced Betfred Oaks winner Savethelastdance.
However, Daddys Lil Darling did not get the opportunity to show how good she was to the European audience given she was forced to withdraw from the Oaks in dramatic circumstances after bolting to the start during a thunderstorm.
The race was won by subsequent dual Arc-winning superstar Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) but, such is McPeek's belief in the ability that Daddys Lil Darling possessed, he says that he still believes that his charge would have gone close to causing a 33-1 upset but for being ruled out in freak circumstances.
He said, “I really wish we could have run Daddys Lil Darling that day. I had no doubt that she would have given Enable everything and anything she could handle but, look, everything happens for a reason.”
Fast forward six years and McPeek is confident that Coolmore's Savethelastdance, the first foal out of his Grade I winner in America, can do what Daddys Lil Darling couldn't and win the Oaks.
He said, “I was very confident that Daddys Lil Darling would have run very well in the Oaks and yes it was a very difficult day but it's maybe justified now given her daughter has a real chance at Epsom.”
McPeek added, “But I'm really proud of her. She's just an unbelievably classy filly to be around and she's obviously passed it to her daughter. I'll be watching the Oaks, that's for sure.”
Daddys Lil Darling was snapped up by MV Magnier for $3,500,000 at Fasig-Tipton in November 2018. A Galileo colt out of the mare was also sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale last year to Robson Aguiar and Amo Racing for $575,000.
She is now based at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky where she has a filly foal by Into Mischief at foot and is reported to be in foal to Gun Runner.
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