One week after full brother U S Navy Flag upset the Middle Park (G1) at Newmarket, Roly Poly added to the family trophy cabinet in Saturday’s Sun Chariot (G1) over the same course. The sophomore daughter of War Front and multiple highweight Misty for Me gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his 23rd Group 1 victory of the season, just two away from matching the late, great Bobby Frankel’s record of 25.
Roly Poly is herself responsible for three of that total, having taken the Falmouth (G1) on Newmarket’s July Course and the Prix Rothschild (G1) 16 days later on July 30 at Deauville. Sixth on ground a tad slower than ideal in the Matron (G1) on Irish Champions Weekend, the 4-1 chance enjoyed the quicker conditions here.
To the fore early for Ryan Moore, Roly Poly allowed longshot Dawn of Hope to take over, but it was purely a case of holding fire. She reasserted on cue and kept on determinedly to stave off 9-4 favorite Persuasive by 1 1/4 lengths. There was a similar margin back to Nathra, who handed John Gosden both the placings. Andre Fabre’s Usherette got up for fourth.
Aidan O’Brien wins his 23rd Group 1 of the season as Roly Poly battles to win the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes pic.twitter.com/3nJnBCxdo5
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) October 7, 2017
O’Brien indicated that Roly Poly, who sped down the Rowley Mile in 1:34.88, could head to the Breeders’ Cup. She was only ninth when attempting last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), but was run off her feet chasing Lull through punishing fractions. The combination of maturity, and the likelihood of a more reasonable pace scenario, portend a better showing at Del Mar.
The winner of the Duchess of Cambridge (G2) and Grangecon Stud (G3) as a juvenile, Roly Poly placed in the Lowther (G2) and just missed in the Cheveley Park (G1). This term she played second fiddle to Winter in both the Irish 1000 Guineas (G1) at Coronation (G1) before her Group 1 breakthrough.
Should Roly Poly advance to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) – already on the radar for stablemate Rhododendron and possibly Hydrangea – she will try to win the laurel that eluded her dam, Misty for Me. The four-time Group 1 star by Galileo was a fast-finishing third in the 2011 Filly & Mare Turf at Churchill Downs.
