'It's a great position to be in' - Sherbet Lemon connections relishing Oaks run

Sherbet Lemon is going under the radar for the Cazoo Oaks despite winning the trial at Lingfield - and that is just how Apple Tree Stud manager Robert Thornton prefers it.

The daughter of the recently pensioned American sire Lemon Drop Kid, who was picked up by Federico Barberini for $200,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, carries the green and white silks of the Gloucestershire stud.

Now comes the acid test in Friday's Epsom Classic, in which Thornton believes the Archie Watson-trained grey has a shout.

He said on Thursday: "She's in good order, she did her last bit of work last Friday and had a little breeze on Wednesday. We're really happy with her.

"We're trying to manage expectations and if she finished fifth or sixth then she's run a cracker, but there's no reason why she couldn't be in the first three or four.

"She stays, she won on soft ground the last day but also ran okay at Wetherby on quick ground the time before."

Sherbet Lemon (grey): daughter of Lemon Drop Kid strikes in the Lingfield Oaks TrialCredit: Getty Images

Sherbet Lemon is out of a winning full-sister to Mastercraftsman in Moyglare Stud Stakes runner-up Famous, and is a half-sister to the 2019 Melbourne Cup third Il Paradiso.

Her odds of 33-1 are unusually big for the winner of a recognised trial, with punters not taking the hint of 'bet' being part of her name; indeed, two of the fillies she beat at Lingfield are shorter prices for Epsom, with fourth home Divinely around the 11-1 mark.

Thornton continued: "There may be a situation where we've got to sit and suffer and make sure she finds a rhythm, which Hollie [Doyle] is very capable of doing. The trip shouldn't be a problem and I can see her getting further in time.

"There are horses she's beat who are shorter in the market, which is strange, but I don't mind if we come in under the radar. Win, lose or draw, it's a great position to be in."

Social media was quick to pick up on the good-looking grey's white-tipped ears after her Listed success at Lingfield, a result of extremely cold Kentucky weather.

Thorton admitted: "I didn't notice the ears until she landed in the UK - and I don't think Federico noticed them either!

"I've been told by the breeders [Mt Brilliant Farm] that it was frostbite, after the coldest morning they'd had out there for a while. They had to keep her warm, and did, but her ears missed out!"

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