Pretty Polly Glory For Iridessa

[Wandering Eyes]

Something of a forgotten horse entering Friday’s G1 Juddmonte Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh, Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez’s Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}) revived her fortunes in style as she stamped her class on the contest. Always happy under Wayne Lordan tracking the pace against the rail, last year’s G1 Fillies’ Mile winner who had run fourth when last seen in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas here seized the advantage approaching the furlong pole and drew away for an impressive 2 1/4-length success from Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The 11-10 favourite Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was unable to land a serious blow and finished 1 1/4 lengths further back in third. “The race set up lovely for her and obviously the step up in trip was a big help to her,” trainer Joseph O’Brien commented. “We had come home a little bit disappointed after her last two runs, but she was crying out for further. That was a very hot race with fantastic fillies in, so we’re delighted.”

Iridessa had served instant notice that she was a smart performer with a four-length debut win over a mile at Killarney in July and it may have been that seven furlongs was too sharp when subsequently fifth in the G2 Debutante S. here in August and third in Leopardstown’s Listed Ingabelle S. in September. Back up in distance, the bay overcame Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) to cause a 14-1 upset under Lordan in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket and was next seen finishing third under a penalty in the Apr. 6 G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial over seven. Eighth but beaten only around three lengths behind Hermosa in the May 5 G1 1000 Guineas back at Newmarket, she fared worse in the Irish equivalent three weeks later where she was over six lengths in arrears.

This race cut up to a degree when Happen (War Front) and Who’s Steph (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) were withdrawn due to the quickening ground, but in the five that went to post there was undeniable quality and that instantly came to the fore as Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Magic Wand disputed the running. Ryan Moore was pushing along on the G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood turning into the straight and two out it was clear that she did not have enough in reserve to hold Iridessa in a pocket behind the front pair. Lordan eased Iridessa out there and she was able to brush aside the well-travelled and high-class Magic Wand with relative ease before hanging down towards the rail and costing the runner-up some ground.

“Things didn’t work out in the Guineas, where she ran a real good race despite being flatfooted over a mile,” the winning rider said. “She quickened up well through horses here like she did in the Fillies Mile and when she got to the front pricked her ears. She was holding on to a little bit, but ran through the line so that’s a good sign.” Connections are eyeing a tilt at the July 20 G1 Irish Oaks back at this venue. “That make sense if she comes out of this well,” Joseph O’Brien added.

The unraced dam Senta’s Dream (GB) (Danehill), who also has the 2-year-old colt Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and a yearling filly by Camelot (GB), is a daughter of the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and GI Matriarch S. heroine Starine (Fr) (Mendocino).

1–IRIDESSA (IRE), 124, f, 3, by Ruler of the World (Ire)
1st Dam: Senta’s Dream (GB), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Starine (Fr), by Mendocino
3rd Dam: Grisonnante (Fr), by Kaldoun (Fr)
O-Mrs C C Regalado-Gonzalez; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O’Brien; J-Wayne Lordan. €177,000.

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