The Roger Varian-trained Nezwaah made the trip across to Ireland a worthwhile one, as she landed the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes in impressive style.
Habitual front-runner Creggs Pipes ensured there would be a good pace set from the outset.
Favourite Zhukova, who won the Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park in May, led the remainder of the field in second. Nezwaah was held up for a late run under Andrea Atzeni with Ballydoyle’s Pocketfullofdreams bringing up the rear.
The leader was a good ten-lengths clear four furlongs out but quickly had the advantage reduced.
Zhukova took the lead two furlongs out and kicked for home. All the while Nezwaah made smooth progress through the field and she whizzed on by the market leader a furlong out.
She strode out well to take the victory by just over three lengths from the staying on Rain Goddess.
“She was very impressive and travelled beautifully,” reflected Atzeni.
“She was a little bit slow into her stride. When I took the blindfold off she stood there for a couple of strides, but she travelled beautifully into the race and picked up really well.”
A daughter of Dubawi, her first try in Group 1 company came last year in Canada when things didn’t go to plan in the E.P. Taylor Stakes.
Her success makes it a sixth British win in the race during the past decade.
Varian said: “We thought we’d come here and have no excuses as the ground had dried out.
“We would have been a bit worried if the ground had been on the soft side, but it dried out nicely for her.”
She was very impressive
Later in the afternoon, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Rekindling bounced back from Derby disappointment when getting up to claim the Group 2 Comer Group International Curragh Cup.
Although still a good four-lengths behind Wicklow Brave a furlong out, the son of High Chaparral conjured up a storming late bid and got up to win by half-a-length.
