Quality abounds in Pretty Polly field

Pretty Polly, the superb early 20th Century filly who won 10 races that now hold Group 1 status, would be pleased by the quality of the 1 1/4-mile, $315,000 event that bears her name at the Curragh on Saturday.

Half of Pretty Polly's Group 1 triumphs came against colts, so Alexander Goldrun and New Morning, both of whom have scored group race victories over males, are the ones to note in this year's edition of the Pretty Polly Stakes.

The winner of last December's Hong Kong Vase at the Pretty Polly distance, Alexander Goldrun is coming off a third-place finish for trainer Jim Bolger in the Singapore Airlines International Cup. Second in last year's Pretty Polly, Alexander Goldrun will have Bolger's son-in-law, Kevin Manning, in the saddle.

New Morning, a Michael Jarvis-trained full sister to Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf champ Islington, beat 2004 Epsom Derby winner North Light to win the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes on May 31. Philip Robinson has the call.

Elopa, a German invader coming off French victories in the Group 3 Prix Allez France and the Group 2 Prix Corrida, is an Andreas Schutz-trained half sister to 2004 Singapore Airlines winner and Man o' War runner-up Epalo.

Of the four 3-year-old entries, Irish 1000 Guineas laureate Saoire is in great form but may find 1 1/4 miles a little too far. Chelsea Rose won last year's Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and was a 1 1/4-mile listed winner in her seasonal debut, and could pose a threat.

Red Bloom, who beat colts for Michael Stoute in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes last fall, prepped with a victory in a one-mile listed contest at Pontefract last time, but it is the lightly raced and still improving New Morning who gets the nod in this closely matched field.