Bluestocking will have "unresolved matters" to address upon her return to the track for her four-year-old campaign, with the Middleton Stakes at York or the Tattersalls Gold Cup being potential early-season choices.
Under the tutelage of Ralph Beckett, the filly owned by Juddmonte displayed commendable performance throughout her three-year-old season. Despite her inability to replicate her success at Salisbury during her juvenile stage, she finished outside the top three just once in six outings, coming close to victory in several prestigious races of the season.
She encountered the challenge of Aidan O'Brien's Warm Heart on three occasions, including during her placement at Royal Ascot. Additionally, another Ballydoyle filly, Savethelastdance, dashed her hopes of clinching the Irish Oaks victory in the final moments of the race.
The offspring of Camelot was most recently observed narrowly missing out, losing by a neck in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. Her connections are eager to determine whether she can secure a significant middle-distance victory this season.
"Bluestocking is back and appears in excellent form. I've just observed her, and we sense there's some unfinished business with her," remarked Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte.
"She's come close on several occasions; her performance in the Irish Oaks was notably strong, and her run on Champions Day was also impressive."
"She's in fantastic shape, and we're considering a potential start in the Middleton Stakes, or perhaps the Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland – she has a fondness for the Curragh, so that's certainly an option. We'll target all those top-notch middle-distance fillies' races throughout the year.
"I believe she's developed a bit more strength from three to four, and she's physically matured, so I'm confident there's still more potential to be unlocked from her."
Trainer Ralph Beckett of Kimpton Down may not have Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Westover in his stable this season. However, he could emerge as the key figure behind Juddmonte's primary Classic prospects in both the colts' and fillies' categories.
Frankel colt Task Force finished as the runner-up, conceding to Vandeek, in the Middle Park Stakes as a two-year-old. He is now being readied to head directly to Newmarket for the Qipco 2000 Guineas, where he stands at odds as short as 12-1 to follow in his sire's footsteps.
Mahon elaborated, "Ralph suggests we have some exceptional horses, and I'm uncertain if we'll have many contenders for the trials. Ralph is indicating that Task Force will bypass the trials and head straight to the 2000 Guineas."
"Task Force is looking fantastic; I've just had a glimpse of him, and he seems to have come through the winter excellently. We're highly satisfied with his condition, and if his performance in training remains strong, then he'll head directly to Newmarket."
Beckett and Juddmonte might also feature in the Qipco 1000 Guineas the following day, potentially with Skellet, the runner-up in the Oh So Sharp Stakes, and Indelible, winner of a Lingfield maiden. Both fillies have been pleasing their trainer in the early stages of spring.
The Kingman filly Skellet is also a contender to go directly to Newmarket for the first weekend of May, while Indelible is more inclined to participate in one of the significant trial races over the next month.
"It's somewhat similar to Task Force with Skellet, and we have two promising fillies there. Additionally, we have another promising one named Indelible, who is sired by Shamardal out of Midday," Mahon further noted.
"Indelible secured a convincing victory in her maiden towards the end of last season, and one of the two fillies may opt to participate in a trial, while the other is likely to head directly to Newmarket.
"It's a matter of assessing their training progress over the next four weeks and deciding accordingly. They appear in good condition, and Ralph is content with their current state," Mahon elaborated.
"As each week passes, they will continue to progress, and perhaps if we were to choose one for a trial, it might be Indelible. However, we're not fixated on this decision, and if both require more time, they can go directly to the Classics from their current state," Mahon explained.