Amidst the razzmatazz surrounding the Republic Cup (GR3) at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, it is easy to overlook the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks, the final leg of our Triple Tiara, which also takes place that day.

New Galaxy has already won the 1600m Fillies Classic, and the 1800m Silver Slipper (L), and only has to triumph on Saturday to collect the 2024 Tiara. But how will she handle the extra 200m?

All of Saturday’s Zim Oaks runners finished behind New Galaxy in the Silver Slipper. Trust Me was 0.75 lengths behind the winner and then came Emma Of Normandy (3.75), Dark Future (9.75) and Jumped A Red (21.75).

Once again, they will meet at level weights. Let’s have a look at their breeding – New Galaxy (New Predator (AUS) – Ruler Of The Sky by Judpot (USA); Trust Me (Mambo In Seattle (USA) – Would I Lie To You by A.P. Answer (USA); Dark Future (Futura – Bella Nero by Caesour (USA); Emma Of Normandy (William Longsword – Ice Pageant by National Emblem), and Jumped A Red is byCanford Cliffs (IRE) out of Light Chaser by Gimmethegreenlight (AUS).

There is nothing wrong with that but only a couple of these three-year-old fillies have gone further, so far, and they haven’t distinguished themselves – yet.

I hope New Galaxy is gobbling her oats, working well, and all set for Saturday.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: The Finish of the 1800m Silver Slipper, won by New Galaxy, with Trust Me second.

The Oaks Field

Race-5 (Turf) $ 1,500 2000m 14:20 Ref-123

1st $750, 2nd $375, 3rd $225, 4th $150

FBC ZIMBABWE OAKS (L)

FOR ALL 3YO FILLIES

1 5 NEW GALAXY 58.0 58 S K A Brewer Thomas Mason

2 2 TRUST ME 58.0 56 S M Nyamagwete Thomas Mason

3 3 DARK FUTURE 58.0 47 THA J Greyling Debra Swanson

4 4 EMMA OF NORMANDY 58.0 44 A M Josi Amy Parham

5 1 JUMPED A RED 58.0 42 BS N Klink Bridget Stidolph