PRETTY POLLY STAKES

(GROUP 1)

FOR the fourth time in six years the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes went for export as Roger Varian’s Nezwaah took a marked step up in class in her stride to serve notice that she is a coming force in the fillies middle distance division.

The Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned four-year-old had previously won twice at listed level but seemed an improved filly as she made a seamless transition to the highest level. Although her rating of 108 gave her a live chance of reaching the frame she had plenty to find with several of her rivals and, in winning with some authority, she looks a legitimate Group 1 mare.

A second winner of this race for Varian, following Ambivalent in 2013, Nezwaah was quite content to look on from midfield as Creggs Pipes blazed a trail at the head of the field. The latter came back to the pack in the straight and when she weakened Zhukova was left in the lead.

However, Nezwaah could be picked out travelling ominously well on the heels of the leaders and Andrea Atzeni’s mount took full advantage when an inviting opening appeared between horses with well over a furlong to run.

Nezwaah picked up nicely to sweep by Zhukova and she found plenty in the closing stages to contain the patiently ridden Rain Goddess by three and a quarter lengths. Turret Rocks ran a fine race to finish a further length and a half back in third, while fourth went to Zhukova.

“I’m delighted as she’s always promised a lot and I’m very pleased for Sheikh Ahmed who has been very patient with her and has been a great supporter of mine since I first started training,” said Varian, whose charge was led up by Petra Morakova.

“It would have been a worry if the ground was slow but it dried out nicely for her and there weren’t going to be any excuses for her today.

“I think she would stay further but this is a good trip for her and I’ll sit down with connections to decide where she goes now. She is well entered up and is in the likes of the Nassau Stakes and the Beverly D Stakes in Chicago. Looking at that performance you’d say she’s entitled to stay in Europe.

“It looked a good Group 1 on paper as there were a number of previous Group 1 winners in the line up and I’m just so pleased she’s won as these Group 1 races aren’t easy to win,” concluded Varian.