Matron Stakes
This years Matron Stakes looks to be very competitive and is quite a deep race with a lot of quality. The market is headed by FALLEN ANGEL who won the Prix Rothschild last time out quite impressively. JANUARY is back to try and get revenge over FALLEN ANGEL after the filly got the best of her last time out. Aiden O’Brien has decent record in this race and has won it multiple times, however, this race has thrown out some big priced winners over time. A quality packed line up again this year could see another surprise winner.
FALLEN ANGEL VS JANUARY
Both these fillies were neck and neck battling to the line in the Prix Rothschild last month. However, the winner (FALLEN ANGEL) looked to be fading in the race, whereas, JANUARY looked to be stalking and ready to snatch the win. However, JANUARY never really got passed FALLEN ANGEL and had to settle for second place after looking like an easy winner 1f out.
FALLEN ANGEL is actually better on the weights in this race than in the Prix Rothschild and so could get the better of JANUARY again. The ground should also help FALLEN ANGEL who has some good form on softer ground with a good 4th in the Prix de l’Opera Longines. JANUARY has only ran on less than good ground once and managed 2nd (but was 5L off the leader.)
Outside chances
CERCENE has form figures of 32312 this season and ran well last time out in the Nassau Stakes in poor ground conditions. She will like a fast pace and is very consistent at group 1 level and so will definitely be involved again here, if those at the front go too fast. She is the second highest rated filly in this race with a rating of 113 behind both FALLEN ANGEL and JANUARY who share top spot with 115.
An outsider at a big price is CALAFORNIA DREAMER who was once an Irish 1,000 guineas runner up behind the talented LAKE VICTORIA. Since then she has only managed best of placing 7th in a race. However, that was over 6f and 7f but back to 1m here could what she needs to get back to form. This could still be too tough of an ask to go and win but she’s placed at a big price before and could well do it again.
Prediction
- FALLEN ANGEL
- JANUARY
- CERCENE
- CALIFORNIA DREAMER
