3 minute read
Epsom’s Coronation Cup has been highlighted as a potential starting point for Emily Upjohn.
Narrowly denied when sent off the 6-4 favourite for the Oaks at the Surrey venue last year, the daughter of Sea The Stars then blotted her copy book in the King George at Ascot before returning to Berkshire following an 84-day break to put the record straight on British Champions Day in the Fillies & Mares Stakes.
With the decision to stay in training at four made after that taking three-length success, Emily Upjohn was pointed towards a trip to Meydan for the Dubai Sheema Classic in the early part of 2023.
However, having not come to hand as quickly as liked, she missed the opportunity to test her mettle against Japanese superstar Equinox and could now return to Epsom on Oaks Day looking to right last year's wrong.
"She ran a huge race in the Oaks when just beaten there and had a nice swansong (at Ascot) at the end of last year," said Thady Gosden– who trains in partnership with his father John – on Racing TV's Luck On Sunday.
"She was heading towards Dubai but with the cold weather in the spring, it didn't quite work out. Obviously she would have been taking on Equinox which would have been an interesting one.
"The Coronation Cup would be a nice early one to start with if she's ready in time, but we'll see how she is and she'll tell us."
Another star filly from the Gosden string staying in training at four is Inspiral, who could head to Newbury on May 20 for the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, with all the top mile races on her radar this term.
"She's wintered well and is in good order, enjoying her training and looks great," continued Gosden.
"She is obviously a top-class miler and all these mile races will be the ones for her.
"She is certainly an independently-minded filly. She has plenty of character but is exceptionally talented."
A return to Royal Ascot could be on the cards for recent World Cup night winner Lord North.
The seven-year-old won the Dubai Turf for the third year in a row last month and could now bid to repeat his Prince of Wales's Stakes success of 2020 when running on home soil this summer.
Gosden continued: "He had a slightly curtailed one last year and it was fantastic to get him back for the Dubai Turf – it was a good team effort there.
"He won the Prince of Wales's Stakes two years ago and he is a horse you could look towards that with."
The young handler also identified Arrest as the horse most likely to provide the Clarehaven operation with Classic success in 2023.
He added: "He was proven at Group One level last year when just beaten at Saint-Cloud. He is a talented horse and always looked like a three-year-old. He has plenty of size, scope and class about him.
"He will start off in a trial and we will go from there. Possibly Sandown, but we will see how he is."