Kingman’s Friendly Soul Wins The Pretty Polly

[Wandering Eyes]

We already knew we were dealing with an Oaks filly in Juddmonte's Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) prior to Sunday's Listed William Hill Pretty Polly S. at Newmarket, but now we have another after George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}–In Clover {GB}), by Inchinor {GB}) took her measure in an epic renewal of the 10-furlong Classic trial. To the fore soon after the start under Kieran Shoemark, the 10-1 shot who scored on debut  at Kempton in December had everything on the stretch bar that 4-6 favourite heading to the final two furlongs and they went on to make it a match to the line. Despite the effort of the eventual runner-up, it was Friendly Soul who had more to give to provide the Gosdens with another major Oaks contender. At the line, there was 1 1/4 lengths between the homebred half-sister to the group 1 winners With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Call The Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and We Are (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and Kalpana, who in turn had a huge 12-length margin to spare over the third Kitteridge (GB) (Camelot {GB}).

“She's a big, scopey filly and very fresh, but she couldn't have impressed me any more,” Shoemark said. “She has a big stride and I let her use herself and she quickened up nicely. She was getting lonely in front and so it helped me when Oisin [Murphy] came to me and she was well on top at the line. She's really one to look forward to and is obviously going to improve off that fitness-wise. She's by Kingman and while I'm sure a mile and a half won't be an issue in time, possibly the Diane might be for her.”

Thady Gosden added, “She's got plenty of speed and that was a hot race. There is the French Oaks as well as the Oaks, so we'll have to see.”

 

These two pull a LONG way clear…

FRIENDLY SOUL denies the odds-on favourite on just her second start for Kieran Shoemark and John & Thady Gosden in the William Hill Pretty Polly Stakes pic.twitter.com/OFu3RmuO3N

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) May 5, 2024

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