Setting the standard on her six-furlong form but taken on by unexposed types bred to relish this distance more, Nations Alexander nevertheless proved that experience does count by stamping her authority on matters under an assertive Pat Dobbs. Runner-up to Godolphin's Nasimi (GB) (Shamardal) on the first of four starts over six at Haydock May 26 and also to the subsequent G3 Princess Margaret S. heroine Fair Eva (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at the same course June 8, the grey overcame extreme conditions when winning the Listed Empress S. in a storm on heavy ground here June 25 prior to finishing third to Roly Poly (War Front) in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. back at this venue July 8. Quickly into an early lead, she was shaken up with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and maintained the gallop up the rising ground to prove her stamina and record an admirably straightforward success.
Trainer Richard Hannon is looking at the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh Sept. 11. “We will supplement her for the Moyglare. The last grey filly I supplemented for the Moyglare [Sky Lantern] went and won the Guineas. She seems to go on any ground and is improving. She showed a lot of speed today. Peter and Ross Doyle picked her up for 50,000 guineas and she is proving a good buy. Noel O'Callaghan didn't see her win but did come over and see her when she got beat, so I might tell him to stay at home again next time! She goes on any ground and is lovely filly. She will let you do what you want with her. I think she will be a nice filly for next year. There are races like the [G3 Prix du] Calvados [at Deauville Aug. 20] over in France and the [Sept. 23 G2] Rockfel [S.] and [Oct. 7 G1] Fillies' Mile back at Newmarket. She is clearly improving and getting better with racing.”
Nations Alexander is out of a half-sister to Always Hopeful (GB) (Mind Games {GB}), who landed the G2 Richmond S. and was placed third in the G1 Middle Park S. and G1 Prix Morny as a 2-year-old. Their respective dam Expectation is a granddaughter of the 1000 Guineas heroine Front Row (Ire) (Epaulette {GB}), who produced the juvenile black type-winners Colmore Row (GB) and Long Row (GB), as well as being the second dam of the G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Oaks d'Italia heroine Possessive Dancer (GB) (Shareef Dancer). Party Whip also has an as-yet unnamed yearling colt by Kodiac (GB).
Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
GERMAN-THOROUGHBRED.COM SWEET SOLERA S.-G3, £40,000, NEW, 8-6, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.03, g/f.
1–@NATIONS ALEXANDER (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Party Whip (Ire), by Whipper
2nd Dam: Expectation (Ire), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Phantom Row, by Adonijah
(34,000gns Wlg '14 TATFOA; 50,000gns Ylg '15 TAOCT). O-Noel O'Callaghan; B-Oak Hill Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Pat Dobbs. £22,684. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-1, $63,740. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Grecian Light (Ire), 126, f, 2, Shamardal–Akrivi (Ire), by Tobougg (Ire). (260,000gns Ylg '15 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Stilvi Compania Financiera SA (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £8,600.
3–On Her Toes (Ire), 126, f, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Dancing Jest (Ire), by Averti (Ire). (€155,000 Ylg '15 GOFORB). O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Knocklong House Stud (IRE); T-William Haggas. £4,304.
Margins: 1HF, NK, NO. Odds: 4.00, 4.50, 5.00.
Also Ran: Urban Fox (GB), Tiburtina (Ire), Grizzel (Ire), Belle Meade (Ire), Easy Victory (GB), San Sebastiana (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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