Alexander produces gold run
Alexander Goldrun flew down the centre of the course to run out a most impressive winner of the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon.
The globe-trotting four-year-old came from last to first down the home straight to take the Group One contest for trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning.
Well-backed before the off, the 9-4 favourite beat Sir Michael Stoute's Red Bloom by one and a half lengths, with German raider Elopa back in third.
Last seen when finishing third in the Singapore Cup last month, having landed the Hong Kong Cup in December, Alexander Goldrun slightly missed the kick in today's 10-furlong contest, in which she finished runner-up 12 months ago.
However, she picked up well once the field had turned for home and the result was not in doubt once she loomed up on the heels of the leaders in the final couple of furlongs.
Michael Jarvis's New Morning cut out the early running with Red Bloom, but after kicking on early in the straight, she weakened in the closing stages and finished down the field.
Bolger said: "She is a very tough filly and I think that was possibly the best performance of her career.
"To give them all a start and win going away was very impressive. She's a very smart filly, up with the best I've trained.
"She always tends to miss the break a bit - it's something we wish she wouldn't do, but we have just got to live with it.
"We'll see how she comes out of the race, but the Falmouth at Newmarket is a race we'll be looking at, as well as the Matron Stakes and then the Prix de l'Opera."
Chris Richardson, racing manager to owners the Cheveley Park Stud, said of Red Bloom: "She wasn't herself last season, but Sir Michael has always maintained she was a very classy filly and we're delighted she is now Group One-placed.
"Johnny (Murtagh) suggested we might like to consider the EP Taylor (at Woodbine in Canada). I'm not sure about that, but it was a very sound performance and I believe she has been beaten by a top-class filly."
Speaking of New Morning, who finished fourth, Jarvis said: "She has run a sound race and we have no excuses. We'll have to think about the Nassau, but the ground will dictate where she goes as she appreciates a fast surface."
