COOLMORE FASTNET

ROCK MATRON STAKES

(GROUP 1)

A RACE that looked a gilt-edged opportunity for Alpha Centauri to make it five straight wins at the top level instead left the star filly with a career-ending fetlock injury as the home favourite had to settle for second behind the now four-time Group 1 heroine Laurens.

Given Alpha Centauri’s exploits throughout the summer she stole the limelight in the lead up to this race and this rare defeat, which can be attributed to a chipped right front fetlock, has done nothing to detract from her position as one of the standout fillies of recent decades.

After holding every chance with a furlong to run, Jessica Harrington’s charge changed leads and lost her action twice in the last 200 yards, but despite carrying a significant injury she was still only beaten three-parts of a length which is testament to her abilities.

Nonetheless, this should not take away from a marvellous display from Laurens who rewarded her connection’s bold decision to come back to a mile after failing to stay a mile and a half in the Yorkshire Oaks.

Furthermore, it had previously appeared as though the intermediate trip of 10 furlongs, over which Laurens won twice at Group 1 level, was her optimum distance, but in coming back to this distance, she showed the versatility and quality that belong to only the most elite.

With regular jockey P.J. McDonald – who attended in a wheelchair – sidelined, the coveted mount on Laurens fell to Daniel Tudhope and he did an exemplary job in pulling off a wire-to-wire masterpiece aboard the John Dance-owned daughter of Siyouni.

Laurens (10/1) was untroubled up from for much of this mile contest but, turning for home, Magical was produced with her effort and Alpha Centauri was a menacing presence in behind.

Laurens remained in front with over a furlong to run and at this stage there was an indication that a surprise could be in the offing as Alpha Centauri started to come off the bridle.

The latter dug in splendidly and was vying for the lead early in the last furlong but she changed her legs twice and lost momentum while Laurens kept on powerfully to the line to score by three-parts of a length. Clemmie ran much her best race of the season to finish a further length and a quarter back in third, with Magical taking fourth.

“That was a fantastic effort and probably the highlight of my career I’d have to say. She just didn’t stay in the Yorkshire Oaks and John was very bullish to come here.

“We could have looked very foolish coming back from a mile and a half to a mile but she is just a fantastic filly,” said Karl Burke.

BULLISH

“The more I thought of this race the more bullish I was getting too and having looked at things this was the only fillies-only Group 1 that we could have used as a prep for the Prix de l’Opera.

“As it happens, we might now stay at a mile and possibly it will be the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket rather the Opera next.

“I feel very sorry for P.J. and it’s great that he’s come to see her today. Danny did a very good job filling in for him.

“We said beforehand that we would try and keep things simple and that we weren’t going to be dictated to so we were happy to let her roll along and use her huge stride. It mightn’t look like she is going very fast but she’s just able to take other horses out of their comfort zone.

“John did say to me that if she won one of these big Group 1s over a mile before the end of the season then she might stay in training and I’m going to see if I can hold him to that now!,” concluded the elated winning trainer.