Impressive Group 1 Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn is in 'great order' ahead of her Eclipse bid, according to trainer John Gosden.
After a disappointing run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot last July, the filly bounced back with a comfortable success in the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes to end her 2022 campaign. She was ruled out of her intended early season return in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic and trainers John and Thady Gosden were patient with their high-class filly.
The training duo were rewarded with an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Coronation Cup, where she displayed a tremendous turn of foot under Frankie Dettori to beat Westover by one-and-a-quarter lengths.
After the race, the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown was touted as a possible next target and Gosden confirmed on Tuesday: "The Eclipse is the plan. That is what we said right after the Coronation Cup, that we would go for the Eclipse. We are very happy with her.
"She took the Coronation Cup in her stride, and we will now head to the Eclipse. For a big girl she has a tremendous turn of foot which is a potent weapon. She had quite a time off from October before her run at Epsom and she didn't run a lot last year after it all went a bit strange in the King George but she seems in great order now.
"Coming back in trip will be alright for her and 10 furlongs at Sandown should suit her fine. We will then hopefully look towards going back over a mile and a half again.
"She did win over course and distance in a novice event last year, so she likes the track that is for sure. The competition might be a bit tougher this time though!
"She had been working well before the Coronation Cup, but we don't try and do what she did on the track at home," he added.
"You can travel well in your work on the bridle at home, but I didn't let her come off the bridle at home. I knew those that rode her felt there was plenty there, but you don't go asking for it at home and to that extent we were very pleased with the way she quickened at Epsom.
"It looks like it will be a good Eclipse with a good combination of horses coming but we are very happy with her."
Emily Upjohn is the current ante-post favourite for the Eclipse Stakes at 2/1.
