Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes
Group 1, Leopardstown 16:25 €350,000 added, 3yo plus, fillies, 1m, Class 1
Saturday 15th September 2018

1 Laurens 10/1
2 Alpha Centauri 3/10F
3 Clemmie 20/1
7 ran Distances: ¾l, 1¼l, 1l
Time: 1m 39.23s (slow by 2.03s)

Laurens holds off Alpha Centauri to land the Matron Stakes for Daniel Tudhope, Karl Burke and owner John Dance

Laurens
© Racehorse Photos

Laurens made every yard of the running to inflict a dramatic defeat on Alpha Centauri at Leopardstown.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Alpha Centauri was sent off the 30-100 market leader as she went in search of her fifth Group One win on the bounce, but it was Karl Burke’s Laurens who spoiled the party for the home favourite.

A multiple Group One winner herself, including in the French Oaks, Laurens stays well in excess of the mile trip and Daniel Tudhope – deputising for the injured PJ McDonald – was keen to capitalise on her guaranteed stamina and set out to make every yard of the running.

She was in control with two furlongs to run, but Alpha Centauri appeared to be just hitting top gear for Colm O’Donoghue down the outside, with Magical also trying to make her presence felt between the two.

However, Alpha Centauri appeared to momentarily falter as she went upsides Laurens, and the British raider took full advantage, going on to win at odds of 10-1.

Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes
Group 1, 1m , Race Value: €350,000
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm

Pos	Dr	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st	(5)		Laurens (FR) 10/1	D Tudhope 9-0	K R Burke	3
2nd	(4)	¾	Alpha Centauri (IRE) 3/10f	C O'Donoghue 9-0	Mrs J Harrington	3
3rd	(7)	1¼	Clemmie (IRE) 20/1	J A Heffernan 9-0	A P O'Brien	3
4th	(6)	1	Magical (IRE) 9/1	R L Moore 9-0	A P O'Brien	3
5th	(3)	1¼	Happily (IRE) 12/1	D O'Brien 9-0	A P O'Brien	3
6th	(2)	5½	Lightening Quick 66/1	Oisin Murphy 9-0	J P Murtagh	3
7th	(1)	5½	Dan's Dream 50/1	R P Whelan 9-0	M R Channon	3