Emily Upjohn attempts to become the latest queen of Epsom by making it back-to-back wins in the May 31 Coronation Cup (G1) and she is unlucky not to be coming here unbeaten around the course.
Most would agree she was unfortunate not to win the Epsom Oaks (G1) on this day two years ago as she finished a short-head behind Tuesday in second after stumbling and losing ground at the start.
Epsom isn’t the easiest course to negotiate, but Emily Upjohn is clearly a natural and the return is definitely in her favor. But we haven’t seen much of her in recent months.
She has run only three times since beating Westover in this race 12 months ago and two of those three runs have resulted in below-par efforts, so does she retain her ability at age 5?
That is a question we can’t answer with any certainty as she finished only fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan on her sole start this year in March.
Emily Upjohn finished three and a half lengths behind Rebel’s Romance in Dubai and her joint trainer was happy with her performance.
“She ran a really good race there,” said John Gosden. “It’s not easy getting the fillies ready in the winter, but she ran a lovely race. She’s had a bit of a holiday since then and we’re building her back up, but we’re pleased with her and the race should bring her on for the summer racing.”
Gosden believes the Coronation Cup is a good starting point for Emily Upjohn as she attempts to complete a successful defense of her crown in her first outing in Britain this year. The daughter of Sea The Stars was victorious in last year’s Coronation and Gosden is confident of another bold showing and hopes the race can see her progress.
He said: “It’s a small field, so it’ll probably be a tactical race, but she’s a filly who has been off for quite a bit since last year with only one run. She needs to get back on the track and we’re happy with her, while I think the race will bring her on.”
The average winner of a Coronation Cup in the last 10 years has needed to produce a Racing Post Rating of 123 and that is what Emily Upjohn registered when successful last year. But that is her career-best figure and she has yet to match it since, so she is a short price for one who has a bit to prove.
Her main danger on RPRs is Luxembourg , who has two 123s and two 124s on his record, but also has similar questions surrounding his recent form as he was beaten 28 lengths in the Dubai Turf (G1T) at Meydan in March. That disappointment followed an odds-on defeat in Riyadh.
“He’s had a nice break since his last run and we’ve been very happy with him since. He’s very comfortable over a mile and a half,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said of Luxembourg.
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