As the 2024 Ebor Festival rolls into view, Bluestocking finally looks set to seal a first Group 1 win on home soil.
With the calendar now flipped to August, the annual pilgrimage to the Knavesmire is the next stop for the flat season and Thursday sees the ladies take centre in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.
A contest first ran in 1849, last year’s winner Warm Heart has not yet gone on to greater things, but the race is nonetheless a springboard toward a potential entry for November’s Breeders’ Cup.
And for trainer Ralph Beckett, yet to win this race, Bluestocking can provide the winning formula.
Breaking ground
For Bluestocking, a 3yo filly and a winner on debut at Salisbury just under two years ago, the world looked to be her oyster.
Yet, 13 months on and with six more runs under the belt, a second victory had failed to materialise.
Significantly fluffing the lines, first the Juddmonte Irish Stakes and then this very race 12 months ago, a Group 1 win was proving elusive.
However, this season has finally seen a turning of he tide.
With still just seven contests under her belt, Bluestocking went to York all clinched the Middleton Fillies’ and then travelling to the Curragh, finally delivered on much promise in breaking a Group 1 duck in the Pretty Polly. Just.
However, on returning home in a King George many expected the daughter of Camelot to win, 25/1 German raider, Goliath, had not read the script.
Still home elite success eludes, but with a second crack at the Yorkshire Oaks, the pieces look to be falling into place.
Indeed, the 2/1f with Betfred, the bookies believe they are.
Emily Up for fight
In another marquee contest this year with a slightly reduced field, there look to be two main rivals that stand between Bluestocking a first elite win on home turf.
The first of which, Queen Of The Pride arrives in York seeking a third-straight win after a Haydock double in the last two months.
With the red-hot Oisin Murphy in tow for John and Thady Gosden, the fellow 4yo may lack experience but is showing immense potential.
Having won at Leicester also, there can be no one-course wonder tag given to Queen Of The Pride, but this will be a first test at the top level, and likely, on far firmer ground than any trip yet.
Perhaps then, might Emily Upjohn be the wiser punt?
Since winning last year’s Coronation Cup with the departing Frankie Dettori, Emily has fallen on harder times.
Indeed, winless in six, pushing the then dominant and now retired Paddington in last term’s Coral Eclipse, was the closest victory had came.
That was until earlier this summer, when pipped to the Pretty Polly by the aforementioned and surging Bluestocking.
The issue right now for Emily Upjohn right now though, appears to be consistency, as something of a no-show last time out in the Nassau Stakes.
However, she has a significant mental advantage in returning to the Knavesmire with one outing and one win – that coming in the 2022 Musidora Stakes.
Whilst that was in the midst of a unbeaten career start, on her day Emily Upjohn is not to be trifled with. Could revenge be in the air?
The Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks takes place on Thursday at 3:35pm UK time.
