THE field for the first English Oaks Final at Swindon was decided on Saturday with two eventful semi-finals at the Blunsdon venue, resulting in a competitive decider next weekend in the race to land the £15,000 first prize.

Sponsored by leading owner John Turner, the 480m bitches’ Classic had been dominated by Heather Dimmock’s Donation in the early rounds, but luck deserted the Lowther Stakes champion as she was badly hampered in the first semi-final.

Involved in a melee which saw Richard Baker’s Sylvias Chloe knocked over, the race was won by Magical Vera (Kevin Hutton) who was always clear of the pack as she made all the running to win by a neck from Paul Meek’s Emers Cookie and Irish raider Jumeirah Charm (Gerry Holian) in 29.16sec (-20).

Winning trainer Hutton, who was later to qualify Bedfordshire Oaks second Ravenswood Flo from the second semi-final, said: “We’re thrilled to have a couple of finalists in one of our favourite events of the year.

“Flo has been improving rapidly lately having had a good Henlow campaign in their Oaks, and she’s taken to Swindon really well. She very much has to lead to win, but looks to have a nice draw in the final so long as she comes away. The weather has been awful every day of the Oaks so far, so we’re hoping for better weather and a faster track with her.

“Vera has done very well to make the final. She’s very lightly raced and was pulled out of the Northern Puppy Derby semis in-season and hadn’t raced before the Oaks started, so she should improve for the run and can do it both ways. Win, lose or draw, she’s an exciting prospect for 2019.

“Both Magical Vera and Ravenswood Flo are owned by Stephen Harvey who is first class and a great supporter of the kennel. We’re thrilled for him and would love to win it.”

The second semi-final saw Hutton’s great rival Mark Wallis strike with Chubbys Caviar, who provided the champion trainer with another Classic finalist as the two-year-old led approaching the third bend to score by three lengths from Hutton’s bitch and third-placed Ballynabee Lucy (Barry O’Sullivan).

Chubbys Caviar comes home strongly in Semi Final 2

Wallis said: “We’re delighted to get Chubbys Caviar to the Oaks final. I always felt she was worth an entry and told a few people that 66-1 was great value – we wouldn’t have gone for it if we didn’t feel she was good enough.

“She’s been a nice grader at both Towcester and Henlow, but has performed well stepped up to open class. She was a touch unlucky in the Bedfordshire Oaks Final a few weeks ago and has improved since, taking a real shine to Swindon.

“Is she the class of a Cashen Maureen or a Domino Storm? Probably not, but I think she has an excellent chance of joining those two illustrious bitches on our list of winners and it would be most deserving for owner Mike Davis and his partner Michelle who have been tremendous supporters of our kennel over the last couple of years.”

Trap draw for next week’s English Oaks Final: 1 Ravenswood Flo, 2 Emers Cookie, 3 Ballynabee Lucy, 4 Jumeirah Charm, 5 Chubbys Caviar (m), 6) Magical Vera (m).