Coronation Stakes (Group 1)

JUST a couple of years after her half-sister Alpha Centauri had produced a jaw-dropping display to win the Coronation Stakes by six lengths, Alpine Star stepped up to deliver a performance of similar merit.

The daughter of Sea The Moon tracked the leaders on the rail, and after hitting a flat spot early in the straight, found plenty and drew away to beat top US-based filly Sharing (Graham Motion/Oisin Murphy) by four and a half lengths, with favourite Quadrilateral (Roger Charlton/Jason Watson) only third, a total of six lengths behind Jessica Harrington’s 9/2 winner. Victory here gave Frankie Dettori – having his first ride for the trainer – the distinction of riding the winner of every Group 1 race at Ascot.

Sharing ran a cracker considering her form is on firm turf and synthetics, and the rain-softened ground could not have been in her favour. She is clearly a high-class filly in her own right, while Quadrilateral ran respectably as she had in the Guineas, but hasn’t yet lived up to the great promise of her juvenile campaign. She looked a strong stayer last year, but neither this nor her 1000 Guineas third have suggested she would do much better over further. She has a bit to prove.

So Wonderful ran close to the form which saw her finish third in the Irish 1000 Guineas, but she was simply in a deeper race here, and was no better than the result in fourth, albeit faring better than stablemate Love Locket in sixth. Pretty Polly winner Run Wild again made the running, but was beaten immediately when challenged at the turn for home, and cut out as if something were amiss.

Speaking from home, Jessie Harrington was full of praise for Alpine Star, but also keen to stress that the ride would have been Shane Foley’s but for travel restrictions.

There are no immediate plans for her, with an Oaks bid unlikely, but subject to discussions between trainer and the Niarchos family.