The Juddmonte team is quietly optimistic about Kalpana's chances in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday. After a successful debut at Wolverhampton earlier in the year, Andrew Balding's filly finished second at Newcastle before dominating at Newmarket. Despite a second-place finish in the Pretty Polly Stakes, connections believe she is one of their top contenders for the week.
Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's racing manager, mentioned that Andrew Balding gave Kalpana a break after Newmarket to refresh her. They decided to skip the Oaks and focus on Ascot after her break. With her training going well and her liking for the mile-and-a-half distance, they are looking forward to her performance this week.
The Group Two contest's favourite is likely to be Charlie Appleby's unbeaten filly Diamond Rain, who has won her two starts impressively. Other contenders include Ralph Beckett's You Got To Me and Forest Fairy, Aidan O'Brien's Port Fairy and Rubies Are Red, and John and Thady Gosden's Danielle. With an intriguing lineup, the Ribblesdale Stakes promises to be an exciting race at Royal Ascot.