Laurens (right) beating Alpha Centauri in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes© Photo Healy Racing
Laurens caused a major shock when making all to lower the colours of Alpha Centauri in the Group 1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Karl Burke-trained filly was soundly beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks last time but was much more at home here back over a mile.
Danny Tudhope ’s mount, a 10/1 chance against the 30/100 favourite, was recording her fourth Group 1 win.
Alpha Centauri needed to be strongly driven to challenge in the straight but edging left under pressure inside the final furlong causing some interference to Magical who was between the principals.
Laurens kept on well in the closing stages to prevail by three quarters of a length from the hot-pot, with Clemmie keeping on to finish a further length and a quarter away in third.
The places remained unaltered following a stewards enquiry.
Burke said, “That was some performance and probably the highlight of my career so far. John (Dance, owner) was keen to come here and the reason we put her in was it was the only Group 1 fillies only prep run leading into the Prix de l’Opera.
“After the Yorkshire Oaks we were adamant that she didn’t stay. We weren’t going to complicate things so she made the running and made use of her long stride which is her biggest asset. We didn’t want to be dictated by any team tactics and we wanted to dictate to them.
“She has a huge engine and a huge stride, and said we might kick a furlong earlier than they would expect us to.
“I would be very surprised if John doesn’t want to go for the Sun Chariot now rather than the l’Opera. We would be keen to win another UK Group 1 if we can.
“John did say to me if we win one of these big Group 1’s over a mile that she might stay in training so I might hold him to that. If she does stay in training next year she has a lot of options now over a mile and a mile and a quarter.”
John Dance said, “I said before we went to the Yorkshire Oaks that we were taking on the best middle distance filly there and we thought it might be fun to come and take on the best miler filly.
“Credit to Jess, my wife, as she's always said she's a better miler. She was tough there.
“Even before York there was a niggling suspicion that she might be better over a mile and we've only run in the Guineas over that trip this year.
“I think because of the status of the opposition this win is pretty special. It was amazing winning the classic also, that was absolutely unreal.”
Alpha Centauri's rider Colm O'Donoghue said, “She did everything right. She quickened up and went half a length up but then she lost her action and half knuckled over for a stride or two.
"When she recovered she did it a second time. Fair dues to the winner though as she's a top class filly in her own right as well.”
Jessica Harrington said, “She got to the lead and she took a bad step. Whatever happened she took a bad step and then she took another one towards the end.
“She went there and whatever happened she did something, I saw it when I was watching it. She actually got to the front and I don't quite know what happened then.
“It'd hard to know (if she's sound) as the adrenaline is pumping now. Unfortunately that's racing and we'll live to fight another day.”
Alpha Centauri was found to be clinically abnormal on examination post-race.
(GC & AM)
