McCreery: Fiesolana fired up for Foret
McCreery landed a first Group One win of his career when the five-year-old swooped fast and late to beat Rizeena in the Matron Stakes.
Bought by Flaxman Stables, the breeding operation of the Niarchos family, after winning a Group Two at Newmarket last year, she is now an extremely valuable commodity.
Her run in France will be Fiesolana’s last outing in Europe, though a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf has not been ruled out as she gained automatic qualification for that race after her Matron success on Irish Champions Weekend.
“The weather looks set fair over there (Longchamp) and the pressure is off now as we’ve won a Group One,” said McCreery.
“Seven furlongs is her perfect trip as it doesn’t matter what the ground is like at that trip, over the mile it just helps her stay if the ground is better.
“She was still in front in the Maurice de Gheest over six and a half well inside the final furlong so she’s not short of pace.
“I’d say Gordon Lord Byron could be the one to beat and, possibly, Thawaany, who was just in front of us at Deauville.
“She was bought as a Group Two winner to go to stud but the owners took a chance keeping her in training and it paid off as she’s now a Group One winner.
“The Breeders’ Cup is still being talked about as she got an automatic entry in the 10-furlong race.
“The two turns and fast ground might be in her favour, so we’ll see.”
