PRINCESSJACQUELINE, one of two winners for leading jockey Javour Simpson, moves away from the favourite, VENOM (Oneil Mullings), to win the eighth race over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday, to complete a double for trainer Noel Ennevor as well. Ennevor had won earlier with HERECOMESFUDGIE at 3-2. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Fifteen fillies, including the recent Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas heroine LADY T, have been nominated for the 68th running of the Jamaica Oaks over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park, on Saturday.

This, the season's third classic, offers a total purse of $2.5 million. At stake, is the Hilma M. Veira Trophy in memory of the late general manager of the Jamaica Racing Commission.

Normally run three weeks after the Guineas, this year's renewal of the Jamaica Oaks has been brought forward to two weeks, a move which has not gone over well among trainers. Some feel the period between both classics is too short to prepare the fillies extensively for a mile-and-quarter race.

Trainer Dwight Chen, who conditions LADY T, was blunt in his criticism, calling it "ridi-culous", while Gary Subratie, who will saddle as many as four horses, said, "I think the time is too short especially for fillies".

The quartet from the Subratie stable comprises the 1000 Guineas runner-up, RIO INFINITO, XPRESS CARD, who was ninth, PRINCESS REA, who finished 14th and GEISHA'S ART, who missed the 1000 Guineas.

Subratie believes RIO INFINITO will get the distance against the current crop of fillies and has high hopes for her. However, the daughter of Al's River Cat - Infinity will have a change of rider, as Allen Maragh who rode her in the Guineas, has been suspended and the ride will more than likely go to Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry.

In addition to the Subratie-trained fillies and LADY T, to again be ridden by Ian Spence, the other entries are the Guineas third OUTFITHER, fourth-place GRACE MARIE, fifth-place RIGGED TO WIN, beaten Guineas favourite, FIRST PRINCESS, as well as KAMECHI, ORION, PRINCESS ZANAI, STARRY EYES, SKETEL and FIDDLE STICKS.

Last year, the Wayne DaCosta-trained filly, SWING BY, completed the Guineas and Oaks double, but in 2005 her fleet-footed stable companion, SI MI TRIAL, failed in her bid to complete the double, falling victim to the 14-1 outsider, ALL FOR PLEASURE, in the Oaks.