Matrice set to make breakthrough at Dundalk
Bay Colony and Seamie Heffernan win for trainer Fozzy Stack from Matrice and Jannah Star. Pic: Healy Racing
Back to Dundalk for another midweek meeting and Joseph O’Brien can top and tail the card. The nap comes in the finale, the Safer Gambling Week 2025 Fillies’ & Mares’ Maiden, in which his Matrice can gain a much-deserved breakthrough.
Placed on the second of her two starts, both of which were at this track, as a juvenile, she finished runner-up in two of her four turf starts this season before returning to this track just last Friday.
That run was off a three-month absence, and she ran close to her best when finding only Eastern Peace too good. Given the winner is a lightly raced sort whose previous trainer felt she was good enough to run in a Group 2 on just her second start, it is reasonable to deduce that she just ran into one.
Nicely clear of the remainder that day, she rallied when passed and should appreciate this longer trip. Cheekpieces and a tongue tie, both of which she has previously worn, are paired for the first time, and with a little step forward from Friday’s run, she can get off the mark.
Lily Parr has some smart form to her name and has obvious claims, while Ready To Mingle is a fascinating runner given that she is trying a trip more than half a mile further than she has previously tackled.
O’Brien’s What About Us made a pleasing debut just three weeks ago and can build on it by taking the opening race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Siyouni filly was sent off a 5-1 chance in that race and after racing just behind the pace from an early stage, she shared the lead at the furlong marker. In the final half furlong, she had no answer to the late rush of the experienced Anushka, who now holds a rating of 83.
With that experience under her belt, she ought to be more robust under pressure, and that will make her difficult to beat in this company.
Of those with experience, Seoul Force is the most interesting. He has a line of form, when fifth in a hot maiden won by New Zealand, which reads particularly well in the context of this race. He was off for three months prior to last month’s run at the Curragh, and perhaps the heavy ground contributed to the below-par performance. He must be respected, and it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in his favour.
1:45 What About Us (nb)
2:20 Distillate
2:55 Saxon Grace
3:25 Heaven’s Wish
3:55 Benavente
4:25 Rising Sky
4:55 Sporting Aclaim
5:25 Matrice (nap)
1:45 Seoul Force
2:20 Una Matata
2:55 Enthusiastically
3:25 Woolridge
3:55 Comfort Line
4:25 Rock Basher
4:55 Thompson Gunner
5:25 Lily Parr
