She may be named after a key character in a Marx Brothers film, but Emily Upjohn's “day at the races” is no laughing matter on Wednesday as the daughter of Sea the Stars (Ire) is concerned as she goes through the gears again in York's G3 Musidora S. at York. The Gosdens' latest 'TDN Rising Star' has already shown form good enough to make her presence felt in most renewals of the Epsom Classic and barring surprises here will be on the Downs with bells on on the first Friday in June. This extended 10-furlong test on the flat Knavesmire was actually threatening to become irrelevant as an Oaks trial prior to the romp of Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) 12 months ago and it is a boon that it has attracted the current ante-post favourite. John Gosden sees her as more than just a now horse and said, “She's one of those fillies who will get better with age, because she certainly has the scope and frame to do it.”
Family Ties
In 2014, Madame Chiang (GB) (Archipenko) emerged on top in the Musidora for Kirsten Rausing and David Simcock and so the circle is complete as her daughter Ching Shih (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) takes part in her race for the same connections. She is every bit as unexposed as anything entered in the Oaks at present based on her four-length success in a mile Newbury novice in October. “She doesn't look anything like her mother, but she will probably be campaigned down a similar line,” Simcock commented. “Is Ching Shih similar? Probably the biggest similarity is she's going to be better when she gets softer ground. She is a relentless galloper.”
Setting the Tone
It's another big week for Shadwell and the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. third Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) could set things rolling in the G2 1895 Duke of York Clipper Logistics S. on the card. Owen Burrows has been patient with the 2020 G2 Gimcrack S. winner and this year could be when he sees the reward for it. “Physically, he has really strengthened up this year and I've had a good preparation with him,” he said. “Obviously he was impressive in the Gimcrack at York and I think that proved he was certainly a quality horse.” After all the twists and turns of fate against Yoshiro Kubota's 'TDN Rising Star' Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) last term, a win on this debut for the Roger Varian stable could springboard him to new heights where he can leave all the bad fortune long in the past.
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