All Eyes On The Pretty Polly

The Curragh witnesses the first major clash of the generations on Friday, as Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) meets the year-older Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Juddmonte Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh. The former, who was denied late on when second in the May 31 G1 Epsom Oaks, gives the impression she has yet to show her true worth and this drop back to the 10-furlong trip over which she captured the Listed Salsabil S. at Navan Apr. 28 should suit. Joined by last year's G2 Ribblesdale S. winner and the multiple group 1-placed Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (Galileo {Ire}) and the May 6 G3 Athasi S. scorer Happen (War Front), she spearheads a strong Ballydoyle challenge. “Pink Dogwood is in good form and everything has gone well since Epsom with her. I couldn't be happier at the moment,” Aidan O'Brien commented. “It was her first time over a mile and a half at Epsom and she quickened very well, but she just got caught close home. Whether it was greenness or the trip we're not sure, but we're very happy with her. She usually travels well and can quicken.”

'TDN Rising Star' Wild Illusion was four-lengths second to Magic Wand in the Ribblesdale last June, but left that form behind over this trip when taking Goodwood's G1 Nassau S. in August and the G1 Prix de l'Opera at ParisLongchamp in October. Her return sixth in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan back at the latter venue May 26 was disappointing, but Charlie Appleby is undeterred as she reverts to her own sex. “I was pleased with her first run of the season and her first run against the colts at Longchamp,” he said. “She was coming back to nine furlongs for that race as well and that race has really brought her forward. Preparations for the Curragh have gone well and for me, she is back to her ideal trip as a stiff 10 furlongs at the Curragh will really suit her really well.”

Saif Ali's Worth Waiting (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) comes here off a win on her seasonal bow in the nine-furlong G2 Dahlia S. at Newmarket May 5, but she needs to improve on that form. “This race has been the plan for her all year and hopefully they get some decent ground,” trainer David Lanigan commented. “We were a bit suspect about her getting a mile and a half last year and Ted Durcan, who has ridden her in all her work, has always said she's a mile-and-a-quarter filly. She showed plenty of toe at Newmarket and we've been pleased with her since.”

Also on the Curragh card is the G2 Comer Group International Curragh Cup, where last year's G1 Irish Derby winner Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) moves back up in trip after a spell over 10 furlongs which included a second in the G1 Mackinnon S. at Flemington in November. Running over the same track and trip over which he was second in the G1 Irish St Leger here in September, Lloyd Williams' 4-year-old encounters a trio from Ballydoyle including the May 17 G2 Yorkshire Cup runner-up Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who stages a quick return having been sixth in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last Thursday.

The G2 Airlie Stud S. for juvenile fillies over six furlongs sees Susan Magnier's A New Dawn (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) back up two days after winning her maiden at Naas against the Niarchos Family's May 24 course-and-distance maiden scorer Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). “She showed a really likeable attitude to win first time out and she has progressed nicely since then,” commented Alan Cooper, racing manager to Albigna's owner-breeders. “We missed the entry for the race by a day, the entries closed just before she ran so we had to supplement her–hopefully it proves worthwhile. Jessica [Harrington]'s record speaks for itself, she did brilliantly for us last year with Alpha Centauri and knows what it takes.” Godolphin's Listed First Flier S. scorer Ickworth (Ire) (Shamardal) who reared in the stalls and was left at the start of the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot last Wednesday. “It didn't go to plan at Ascot for Ickworth,” trainer Willie McCreery said. “As the stalls opened she was down on her hunkers, it's unfortunate but it can happen. The ground had gone against her anyway, she wants quick ground, so there was no harm done.”