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| Sumita Pawar |
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Bluestocking, having narrowly lost in the Irish Oaks, will be presented with a variety of choices at the upcoming Sky Bet Ebor Festival in York.
Having been placed behind Warm Heart in both a Listed race at Newbury and the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, the filly sired by Camelot turned the tables in a convincing manner at the Curragh Classic.
She looked like the probable winner as she surged to the front, displaying her powerful traveling abilities. However, she was ultimately outlasted by Savethelastdance, the runner-up in the Epsom Oaks, but her defeat was by a mere half a length, and she can take solace in her admirable performance. Now, she is set to embark on a new journey towards the Knavesmire.
Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said, “Whilst we thought the world of her, her form before the Irish Oaks wouldn’t have suggested she was going to put in a run like that, but we sort of always felt she had that in her.
“It was a huge run and I thought she had it won for most of the straight, but unfortunately we didn’t.
“We’ll look towards York for her. It will more than likely be the Yorkshire Oaks, but because she hasn’t won yet this year she has the option of the race we won with Haskoy last year (Galtres Stakes).
“You’d imagine she’ll probably go for the Yorkshire Oaks, but she’ll be in both anyway.”
Rising Stars: Waltham And Task Force
Two additional horses that have left a significant impact on the Juddmonte team in recent times are Waltham and Task Force. Waltham, a 3YO trained by Ger Lyons, displayed his prowess by securing a remarkable victory on his debut at Leopardstown.
He followed up this triumph with a commanding six-length win in a conditions event held at the same venue. With such impressive performances, Waltham appears ready to progress to Pattern class races. However, Mahon, his trainer, believes that discussions regarding a potential bid for Classic glory in the St Leger should be postponed for now.
“He’s a nice horse and he’s a horse that went into training late – he only went into training in May this year,” he said.
“He’s done nothing wrong in his two wins, he’s progressing nicely and stays well and something like the Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh (August 20) would be next on the cards.
“He is a nice horse, but you have to remember he’s won a pretty uncompetitive maiden and he’s won a nice conditions race – it’s a long way off Group One standard.”
Task Force, who has been trained by Ralph Beckett, is destined to be extraordinary as he is the offspring of Frankel and the 1000 Guineas champion Special Duty. In his debut race at Salisbury, he left a lasting impact and showcased his immense talent.
Although the plans for Task Force's future are subject to change, Mahon, his trainer, remains optimistic and aspires for him to achieve greater success in the days to come.
He said, “It’s not too many times you have a two-year-old that’s by a Guineas winner and out of a Guineas winner and he’s a nice horse.
“He’s a very late foal (born in May) and he’s been a little bit immature, but he’s shown up well at home, Ralph decided to bring him down the road for his first start and he won well.
“Again the quality of the race might not have been the strongest, but he did it in impressive fashion over what I’d imagine is his bare minimum trip of six furlongs.
“Without discussing it with Ralph, he would remind me of a horse who probably won’t have a huge amount of racing this year. If he had another two starts that would probably be the height of it as he’s a horse to look forward to for next year.
“I’d say he’ll step up to seven furlongs next time.”
When asked whether the Acomb Stakes at York could be a target, he added, “At the moment I think the plan is for Starlore to go to the Acomb, but if Task Force was in good form and Ralph wanted a go it’s not impossible we could run two of them.”