Where Millisle and Albigna flopped in Classics, Alpine Star made up for recent Jessica Harrington disappointments with victory in the 1m Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Returned at 9/2 under Frankie Dettori, the Niarchos Family owned filly followed in the hoofprints of half-sister Alpha Centauri from 2018 here.
Breeders’ Cup winner and American raider Sharing chased Alpine Star at 16/5 for British expat trainer Graham Motion at 16/5. That was the money horse of the Coronation Stakes, but Alpine Star was 4 1/4 lengths too good.
Guineas flop and 2/1 favourite Quadrilateral could only finish third again with two Aidan O’Brien runners out of the places.
This was another fine Dettori ride, taking the bravest route on the inside. Alpine Star defying market weakness with bookmakers before the start shows that horses drifting isn’t always a bad thing.
Analysis: Lazy making Alpine Star comparisons to sibling
Jamie Clark, Horsebetting.com Editor
As Harrington said after the Coronation Stakes, Alpine Star is different to Alpha Centauri. They may have the same dam and won the same race, but they are chalk and cheese.
Alpha Centauri was an imposing filly and desperately unlucky to have her career ended in the 2018 Matron Stakes. Alpine Star, meanwhile, is by her trainer’s admissions a mealy colour and not one you would pick out from a string.
The Niarchos Family are shrewd operators, so connections will make a plan for their latest star filly. Alpha Centauri went to the Falmouth during the July Festival at Newmarket, then over to France later in her golden summer.
Quadrilateral may want further, but I’m not sure about the winner. Her pedigree very much suggests staying at a mile is wise.
Roger Charlton and Prince Khalid Abdullah’s team must step Quadrilateral up in trip now. She got a mile as a juvenile and, on breeding, further could help her resume winning ways.
