Rossa Ryan has that winning feeling on Bluestocking
Pretty Polly Stakes report and video replay: Bluestocking edges thriller
By David Ord
20:02 · SAT June 29, 2024
Bluestocking claimed a breakthrough Group One victory in an epic renewal of the Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.
With persistent Saturday rain easing the ground, Ralph Beckett's charge was backed into 11/10 favouritism but turning for home it looked as though she was booked for second.
For under a positive Kieran Shoemark ride Emily Upjohn defied her own market weakness to sweep past front-running Lumiere Rock and set sail for home.
John and Thady Gosden's charge was four lengths clear as the eventual winner engaged top gear but inside the final half furlong it was evident Bluestocking had momentum - and the leader in her sights.
In front inside the final 50 yards, she hit the line half-a-length to the good.
The winner was cut to 5/2 favouritism for the Yorkshire Oaks by Betfair and Paddy Power while Emily Upjohn traded at 1/33 in-running.
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“It was great. Rossa had an inkling that Emily Upjohn might go forward at some point. In a way it helped us, in a way it was tough for her to run down but it gave us something to aim at,” said Beckett. “It’s great to get it done. Last Irish Oaks Day will live long in the memory for the wrong reasons but it doesn’t matter now.”
Beckett opted to leave the cheekpieces off Bluestocking this time and explained: “We thought about it but last time she travelled so well through the race we thought we’d leave them. We have the right to put them back on of course. I thought she was always going to get there in the end, I thought she was always going to pick up, as she finds plenty under pressure.
"You’d think the Nassau is the right place to go and she clearly enjoys York, she’s run well twice there, so the Yorkshire Oaks will probably be a good idea as well. I don’t think trip is that important, I just think conditions have to be right and they were today.”
Bluestocking runs in the colours of Juddmonte, with the filly hailing from one of the owner-breeder’s established families.
European racing manager Barry Mahon said: “The dam (Emulous) won the Matron in Leopardstown, so she was a high-class filly. She had speed to win a Group One over a mile. Last year, we sat down at the end of the season and felt we probably stretched the filly a little bit with a mile and a half and I think she’s a revelation this year back over 10 furlongs.
“This means a lot to Juddmonte. We have two bases here in Ireland and a lot of staff. It means a lot to Prince Khalid’s family and all the staff. It’s a great result and we’re very happy.”
Ryan was thrilled to strike Group One gold and said: “It is brilliant! She had to dig deep with me and I thought Kieran had gone on me. We hadn’t gone overly quick and my plan was to take a lead off one. I didn’t think I would get shuffled back that far but, by God, she’s tough. I’m so delighted really for everyone at home in Kimpton – they are the unsung heroes. Eric, who looks after him, is not here today, but he definitely deserves it.”
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