Ambivalent to Bid for Pretty Polly Repeat
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Ambivalent looks to be a strong candidate for a repeat win in the Newbridge Silverware Pretty Polly Stakes (Ire-I) June 29 at the Curragh.
The 1 1/4-mile race drew a competitive field of 10 that also includes 2014 Etihad Airway Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) winner Marvellous as well as last year's Irish One Thousand Guineas victress Just The Judge and 2013 Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-I) runner-up Venus de Milo.
A daughter of Authorized, Ambivalent broke through for her first group I victory after making all the pace in last year's race. She began this season with a creditable third to Gentildonna in the Dubai Classic (UAE-I) March 29 at Meydan and subsequently won the Middleton Stakes (Eng-II) at York before finishing third behind Cirrus des Aigles and Flintshire in the Coronation Cup (Eng-I) at Epsom.
David Eustace, assistant to trainer Roger Varian told At The Races that Ambivalent is in fine fettle.
"She came out of Epsom really well," he said. "It was a really good run there and was probably almost a career best after Dubai.
"Ground doesn't seem to be an issue with her this year. We thought she was best on fast ground, but it was good to soft at York when she won. She'll go (to the Curragh) with a good chance of winning the race again."
Trainer Aidan O'Brien has three contenders, with French group II winner Peace Burg joining Marvellous and Venus de Milo.
Marvellous won the Irish One Thousand Guineas by three lengths from Lightning Thunder but subsequently was a well-beaten sixth as the favorite in the Investec Epsom Oaks (Eng-I) June 6.
Beaten only a half-length at Epsom last year, Venus de Milo most recently won at Cork, taking the Munster Oaks Noblesse Stakes (Ire-III) by 1 1/4 lengths.
Just The Judge bids for her first win in five starts since taking last year's Irish One Thousand Guineas. She comes in off a third at Epsom in the Investec Princess Elizabeth Stake (Eng-III) June 6 for trainer Charlie Hills.
Newbridge Silverware Pretty Polly Stakes (Ire-I), 3YO &Up, 1 1/4 miles, turf
No. PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. 4. Along Came Casey, P. J. Smullen, 136, D. K. Weld
2. 9. Ambivalent, A. Atzeni, 136, R. Varian
3. 8. Harasiya, D. P. McDonogh, 136, J. M. Oxx
4. 10. Just The Judge, J. P. Spencer, 136, C. Hills
5. 1. Peace Burg, C O'Donoghue, 136, A. P. O'Brien
6. 2. Pearl Of Africa, C T Keane, 136, E. Lynam
7. 5. Thistle Bird, G. Baker, 136, R. Charlton
8. 7. Venus de Milo, J. P. O'Brien, 136, A. P. O'Brien
9. 3. Avenue Gabriel, C. D. Hayes, 124, P. D. Deegan
10. 6. Marvellous, J. A. Heffernan, 124, A. P. O'Brien