Kalpana and Whirl Set for Exciting Showdown in the Pretty Polly Stakes

The British-based Juddmonte filly and the Epsom Oaks runner-up will meet this Saturday at Curragh in a new edition of the Irish G1, which features strong international representation

Kalpana faces a tough challenge ahead at The Curragh / ASCOT

CURRAGH, Irlanda (Special for Turf Diario).- This Saturday, the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) will be one of the highlights of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, featuring a small but intriguing field of seven and the always captivating rivalry between local and overseas trainers. Since 2000, 13 of the last 25 editions of this traditional G1 for fillies and mares three and up have gone to British-based conditioners, a trend that Kalpana, representing Andrew Balding, will look to continue.

The Kingman filly arrives with strong credentials, having finished second to Los Angeles (Camelot) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1), a clear indicator of her class. Dropping back to 10 furlongs this time, she will be ridden by Colin Keane in the famed Juddmonte silks as she bids for another top-level success.

“Kalpana has been in great form since her last run in Ireland. We know she will improve over further, but we also think she’ll be very effective over a mile and a quarter. If the ground stays good, she should be very competitive,” commented Balding ahead of the race.

Adding further international intrigue is Survie (Churchill), a 4-year-old French G2 winner who travels from southern Europe under the care of Nicolas Clément, with Stéphane Pasquier booked to ride. Proven in good company, her presence adds significant depth to the field.

Among the home team, the strongest chance lies with the O’Brien runners. Whirl (Wootton Bassett), trained by Aidan, was runner-up in the Epsom Oaks (G1) and poses a serious threat here. Aidan O’Brien has won this race five times, though only once with an older mare: Magical (Galileo) in 2020.

Meanwhile, Wemightakedlongway (Australia), from the Joseph O’Brien yard, will look to follow in the footsteps of Iridessa (Ruler of the World), the last 3-year-old to win the Pretty Polly back in 2019, also trained by him.

Completing the line-up are the progressive Magical Hope (Frankel), trained by Paddy Twomey, who enjoyed success here in 2022 with La Petite Coco (Ruler of the World); Jancis (Tamayuz) for Willie McCreery and Ben Coen; and Higher Leaves (Golden Horn) representing Henry de Bromhead with Shane Foley aboard.

In addition to the Pretty Polly, Saturday’s card features other stakes highlights. The Airlie Stud Stakes (G2) for 2-year-old fillies drew six runners, with the unbeaten Lady Iman (Starman), trained by Ger Lyons, aiming for a fourth straight win. Her rivals include Artista (Caravaggio) from Ollie Sangster’s yard under Dylan Browne McMonagle, and promising debut third Beautify (Wootton Bassett) for Aidan O’Brien.

Another intriguing contest is the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes (G3), run in honor of Kevin Prendergast, with six entered, headed by Elizabeth Jane (Dubawi), trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Chris Hayes, who apprenticed under Prendergast.

The Anglesey Stakes (G3), also with six declared, will see Flushing Meadows (Wootton Bassett) for O’Brien face rising star Stop The Nation (Oratorio) from Jack Davison, and debut Cork winner Suzie Songs.