Skip to content

Persuasive team eye Matron Stakes at Leopardstown

Alice Springs ridden by Ryan Moore wins The Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes during day one of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown Race
Image: Persuasive last seen finishing second in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes

Persuasive, not seen since filling the runner-up spot in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last September, could again have the Leopardstown Group One on her agenda.

John Gosden's filly enjoyed a fantastic campaign in 2016, winning her first four starts including the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot and the Group Three Atalanta Stakes at Sandown.

She found only Alice Springs too strong in Ireland last autumn and while she has not made a competitive appearance since, she is nearing a comeback.

Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "Persuasive is fine and we've just been taking our time and waiting on the ground for her.

"We haven't really made any plans. I suppose the Matron would be the race to aim for again, but she'd need a run somewhere beforehand."

Another high-class Cheveley Park runner who has not been seen so far this season is the Clive Cox-trained Zonderland.

The son of Dutch Art won a Listed prize and a Group Three last season and was last seen filling the runner-up spot in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last August.

Also See:

"Goodwood is hopefully Zonderland's target. We have the option of running in either the Celebration Mile or the Sussex Stakes," Richardson added.

"He likes top of the ground and ran well at Goodwood last year.

"He unfortunately twisted a joint just before the Lockinge, so we had to back off for him for a while, but he's back again now and we're looking forward to getting him back on track."

Around Sky