Kalpana is likely to kick off her campaign in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup later this month after a dirty scope ruled the four-year-old out of her intended return to action in Thursday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes at York.
Trained by Andrew Balding for Juddmonte, Kalpana was last seen winning the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot in October, looking a contender for further top honours in 2025 as she handed out a comprehensive two-length beating to her 13 rivals.
Her connections had been hoping to use the Middleton as a stepping stone to next month's G1 Pretty Polly Stakes, but she is now set for a few days on the easy list before a potential tilt at the Tattersalls Gold Cup, which takes place at the Curragh on Sunday, May 25.
“Andrew just wasn't happy with her scope this morning and there was a little bit of mucus there,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, who completed the Middleton/Pretty Polly double last year with their subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking.
“The vet said he would like to treat her for a couple of days so we couldn't declare her for York. It's unfortunate but it is nothing sinister and hopefully we will get her back in a couple of weeks.”
He added, “We could look towards the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and, if the treatment clears her up and Andrew is happy with her, I would say that would look the most obvious next target. After that you are rolling into Epsom [for the Coronation Cup].
“She probably just needs a few days of antibiotics and should be okay. Hopefully, that could still leave her on track for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, all being well.”
In the absence of Kalpana, Balding's See The Fire heads a field of eight set to go to post for the Middleton, while ante-post Derby favourite The Lion In Winter is one of 11 runners declared for the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes on the same card. His rivals include Godolphin's unbeaten Alpine Trail and the Balding-trained Royal Playwright, a half-brother to See The Fire.
Royal Ascot Next for Jonquil as Juddmonte Split Aces
Mahon also had news of Balding's Jonquil after the son of Lope De Vega proved he belongs at the top table with his runner-up finish in Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains.
All being well, Jonquil is now set to make his next appearance in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, leaving 2,000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold and the unbeaten Cosmic Year to represent the Juddmonte team in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
“I think at the minute, Field Of Gold and Cosmic Year will go to the Curragh for the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Jonquil will go to Ascot, hopefully, depending on how he comes out of the race in France,” said Mahon.
“We'll then decide what we do with the other two after the Curragh at the end of the month.”
Reflecting on Jonquil's performance at ParisLongchamp, Mahon added, “It was an exceptional run. He sat up close to a blistering pace and was still able to execute at the end and just missed out on the line.
“I think you can upgrade the run given the pace of the race and his position throughout. From his draw in stall 12, he had to get out and get over and ended up where he was.
“I think he showed he stayed a mile, so I think the St James's Palace would be the right race [at Royal Ascot]. He was headed inside the final furlong and then battled back. Oisin [Murphy] felt he stayed the mile well, so I think the St James's looks the most obvious target.”
Meanwhile, a return trip to France is on the cards for the John and Thady Gosden-trained Detain, who was beaten only two and a half lengths when finishing a staying-on sixth in the Poulains.
“Detain couldn't lie up with them early on, but he came home unbelievably well to only be beaten two and a half lengths–we were very happy with him,” said Mahon.
“I think he will step up in trip now and we'll look at the Prix du Jockey Club with him.”
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