Connections of Emily Upjohn will target the Yorkshire Oaks after the Qatar Nassau Stakes favourite could only manage a distant sixth at Goodwood.
Supplemented into the 10-furlong race for £40,000 last Friday, the conditions seemed ideal for John and Thady Gosden’s dual Group One winner, who had finished a narrow second to Bluestocking in the Pretty Polly Stakes in late June. However, a challenging draw in stall 10 and a wide early position hindered her chances, as Opera Singer led the race and secured a brilliant victory.
Thady Gosden observed that the draw in stall 10 was far from ideal. The horse was slightly slow away but travelled well initially. However, she failed to pick up as expected down the hill. Despite this, she seemed fine afterwards. Although it was disappointing not to see her perform to expectations, she is in good condition. The mile-and-a-half Yorkshire Oaks on a fair track should suit her well.
See The Fire, trained by Andrew Balding, finished second, improving on her previous performances in the Coronation Stakes and Coral-Eclipse. Balding commented, “She is a very good filly, and I am proud of her effort. It’s frustrating to be beaten in two consecutive races, but Aidan can go home.”
Jockey Oisin Murphy noted that there seemed to be a pace collapse from two furlongs out. He had hoped to catch Ryan but found him tough to pass, as demonstrated in the previous race.
Patrice Cottier, on the other hand, found positives in the third-place finish of Sparkling Plenty, the Prix de Diane winner. The filly, owned by Al Shaqab and ridden by Cristian Demuro, finished strongly despite being slightly unbalanced. Cottier mentioned, “The plan was to keep her relaxed at the back, and she finished really well. We might consider the Prix Vermeille next.”