Robert Havlin is looking forward to the prospect of Mimikyu in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock Park on Saturday.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly returned after a winter break with a close second in the 1m6f Group 3 Bronte Cup Fillies Stakes at York and will probably enjoy a return to a shorter distance, with a solid strike rate over 1m4f (2-3).
She seemed to be improved by the application of a hood when winning the Group 2 Park Hill Fillies Stakes at Doncaster and has worn it in two starts since. It will be Robert Havlin's first ride on the filly since a disappointing performance in the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot behind stable-mate Emily Upjohn.
Robert Havlin has enjoyed success in the Lancashire Oaks over the years and achieved his first Group victory in the contest in 2003 with Place Rouge. He has since won the race twice more, with Great Heavens in 2021 and Free Wind in 2022.
"Mimikyu does have a five-pound penalty to carry for winning the Park Hill at Doncaster last year but hopefully she has got the class to overcome it. She is going there with a live chance," Havlin said.
"She worked really well at the weekend at the July Course with the hood off. She has been racing with the hood on recently, including in the Bronte Cup but she will race with the hood off here. I really felt an improvement with the hood off.
"It was a pleasing bit of work for me and I was really happy with her. She only just got beat on the nod at York which was a nice prep run. She is quite a lively character, as you could see after the work, when she was pulling my arms out walking her around.
"She is from the same family as Journey, who also wore a hood in a lot of her races, but she settled really well with the hood off the other day. I think it is the right time to take the hood back off again.
"Most of the fillies that have won this for us have been on their way up onto better things.
"She ran a bit flat at the back of last year when I last rode her at Ascot on Champions Day but she seems fresh and well now. Hopefully this can be another stepping-stone.
"I imagine she will have another tilt at Group One level at some point during this season, especially if she wins this."
Mimikyu is currently a general 6/4 favourite for the Lancashire Oaks.
