Soviet on Song for Leopardstown
Soviet Song cantered on the track at Leopardstown this morning ahead of her rematch with Attraction in tomorrow’s Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes.
Upgraded to Group One status for the first time, the mile contest will pitch two of the best fillies in training against each other for the second time this season.
It was the older Soviet Song who came out on top when they last clashed, inflicting a two-and-a-half-length defeat on her younger rival in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting.
“She flew over yesterday and arrived in good shape. She went for a canter this morning and seemed well,” trainer James Fanshawe said today.
The four-year-old was last seen defeating the colts in the Sussex Stakes, having finished runner-up to Refuse To Bend at Royal Ascot.
“She has had a good season and had a break after the Sussex, but seems in good order,” continued her handler.
“She cantered on the track this morning and the ground was good to firm. I wouldn’t mind a bit of rain but we will have what’s given.”
Attraction caught the public imagination when landing both the English and Irish 1000 Guineas earlier this season – taking her winning run to eight in the process.
However, her amazing unbeaten record came to an end when she clashed with Soviet Song at Newmarket, and connections are hoping that the forecast rain won’t dent their chances at the Dublin track.
The daughter of Efisio flopped last time out when encountering soft ground for the first time in the Prix Jacques Le Marois, and trainer Mark Johnston’s wife Deirdre voiced her concerns as the rain started to fall at Doncaster this afternoon.
She said: “I hope that they are not getting this over in Ireland, but there are showers forecast.
“Attraction went over last night, she arrived there safely and is in very good form. Mark is in America and I will be going over to Ireland tomorrow morning.”
The going at Leopardstown is currently good to firm, although rain is forecast to continue falling between now and the start of racing.
“It has been raining since early this afternoon and it is coming down quite steady now,” said the track’s racing manager Tom Burke.
“However, the rain we have had so far would not have had a huge impact on the ground. We have been told to expect showers through tonight, but they are supposed to be hit-and-miss, so it is hard to say how much we might get.
“It should be dry again tomorrow morning but there will be a front crossing here around noon which may give us a few millimetres as well. But it will be very hard to see it going soft as we have had no rain for the past 10 days.”
A total of nine were declared for the Matron Stakes, although only seven will go to post.
Sir Michael Stoute will not run last year’s winner Favourable Terms after she was found to be lame this morning, while Mick Channon has scratched his Majestic Desert.
Aidan O’Brien’s Yesterday has her first run for 322 days having been ill earlier in the year. Last year’s Irish 1000 Guineas winner will be ridden by Jamie Spencer.
Phantom Wind, Red Feather, Livadiya and Miss Mambo complete the field.
