Powerful Nation has Slattery considering 'dream races' Powerful Nation was thoroughly professional in landing the Listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes at Cork for the Slatterys. Eclairage, one of three runners for Danny Murphy in this sprint, ran keenly off the front with the petrol running out on the approach to the final furlong. Navassa Island picked up a narrow lead, but she was closely attended by the favourite Powerful Nation who collared her inside the final furlong. He scooted away in the closing stages without Andrew Slattery having to get serious with him to record a length and a-quarter success at a well-backed 6/5. Songhai (10/3) kept on for second without threatening the winner and was two lengths in front of Erosandpsyche (14/1) on first start for Murphy. Powerful Nation holds an entry in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh next month. He had been placed in two Listed contests and in a Group 3 on his last three starts. Andy Slattery said: "He hit the front a long way out, which he doesn't like as he idles in front so I think he won very easily. , "We knew he'd come on from Naas and I think he'll improve from today. We didn't abuse him as a two-year-old and trained him so he would improve. "I was a bit worried when I saw the shower of rain and, while I have never run him on soft, he always gives us the impression that he is a fast-ground horse. "I had a few races picked out for him, he'll go for the Sapphire Stakes next and it'll all lead to the Flying Five (Curragh Group 1 in September). That and the Prix de l'Abbaye (Longchamp) are the dream races and he is a great horse to have." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
