The Qatar Nassau Stakes is a real possibility for Emily Upjohn, as her connections are considering supplementing the dual Group One champion for the event at Goodwood.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the Sea The Stars filly has achieved success at the highest levels, at both three and four. However, she is still searching for her first victory this season, having been narrowly defeated in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last month.
That close loss came on soft ground, but with favourable conditions expected leading up to the Qatar Goodwood Festival, securing a good surface for Emily Upjohn could be instrumental in the decision to pay the £40,000 supplement fee later this week.
“We’re looking at it (the Nassau) and John (Gosden) will make the decision,” said Simon Marsh, racing and bloodstock manager to Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber who co-owns the five-time winner.
“The supplementary stage is on Friday, but we’re definitely looking at it, and it’s a real possibility she is going to run. We will just check the weather forecast before we finally decide to supplement her, but if it looks like it’s clear weather, and she is going to get her ground then it’s a real possibility.”
Should she compete in Nassau, Emily Upjohn would be aiming for her first victory in a Group One race over 10 furlongs after finishing as the runner-up in both of her previous attempts at this distance.
While her future entries extend back to a mile and a half later in the year, her team is ready to take another shot at a mile and a quarter following her strong performance in the Pretty Polly.
Potential challengers for Emily Upjohn in the Nassau Stakes could include stablemate Inspiral, Aidan O’Brien's Coronation Stakes runner-up Opera Singer, and Sparkling Plenty, winner of the Prix de Diane.