Bluestocking will bid to go one better than her runner-up effort in last season's Irish Oaks (G1) in the June 29 Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) as she returns to the Curragh for trainer Ralph Beckett.
Rossa Ryan has partnered the Juddmonte homebred on four of her eight starts and is in the plate again as she seeks to land a group 1 at the fourth attempt. She made a hugely impressive seasonal appearance at York last month when finishing six lengths clear in the Middleton Fillies Stakes (G2).
Barry Mahon, racing manager to Juddmonte, is excited to see if she can avenge her defeat at this track last season.
"We're looking forward to seeing her back on the track. She looked right at her best last time and Ralph's been happy with her since," Mahon said. "We're looking forward to getting her back to the Curragh too, to see if she can atone for her Irish Oaks defeat. You're always hopeful they can improve from 3 to 4, especially as she's by Camelot, and she showed that at York. Hopefully, she's got some more progression to come."
After finishing an excellent third in the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot last season, she was unfortunate not to earn classic success in the Irish Oaks (G1) on her only start at the Curragh, given she was mugged late on by the very smart Savethelastdance.
Given her stunning York display came on her first start of the season, there is plenty to suggest she is an improved filly.
There aren't many fillies in training who can rival the engine of Emily Upjohn, which is best illustrated by her stunning display in last season's Coronation Cup (G1). She thundered clear of Westover, who landed the 2022 Irish Derby (G1) at this track the season before. She finished fourth in the same race last month, but it wasn't run to suit given Ryan Moore controlled the fractions from the front on Luxembourg.
John Gosden, joint trainer of Emily Upjohn, said the 5-year-old Sea The Stars mare took some time to recover from her trip to Dubai in March and was in need of the run in the Coronation.
"She's since enjoyed a racecourse gallop on the July course and seems to be back in good form. Plus the return to warmer weather has helped," Gosden said. "She's back against the fillies and goes there in good order."
Slow gallops can be Emily Upjohn's undoing as she is a headstrong filly who can be difficult to harness if the pace isn't to her liking. That could be her downfall again here as Francophone and Lumiere Rock enjoy racing prominently but are not habitual frontrunners.
Stay Alert ran a huge race when runner-up to Via Sistina in this race last season and was unfortunate not to get closer given she suffered serious interference at a crucial stage. The 5-year-old returned with an authoritative performance in the Dahlia Stakes (G2) last month when benefitting from a strong gallop and powering clear of Running Lion, who advertised the form well when landing the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Ascot.
