Royal Ascot heroine Aljazzi set for Group 1 Matron Stakes assignment
Marco Botti's mare won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes before disappointing in the Prix Rothschild
TOP class mare Aljazzi will bid to return to winning ways in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown next month.
The Duke of Cambridge Stakes winner is on a recovery mission after flopping for fourth in last month's Prix Rothschild.
Although she had excuses that day, trainer Marco Botti is under no illusions that she'll need to progress again if she's to land her first Group 1.
The daughter of Shamardal had previously been impressive at Royal Ascot, where she had subsequent Group 1 winner Urban Fox toiling in behind, and connections are hoping she can reproduce that form at Leopardstown.
Botti said: "We are still probably going to the Matron Stakes. She seems fine.
"The race in France didn't really pan out for her. She was drawn opposite to where the winner was on the stands rail and we were drawn in the middle and never really got cover.
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"Ryan (Moore) jumped off and said the race never really panned out for her. I would say you could put a line through that.
"Considering the draw and the fact the ground went soft, it wasn't a bad run. After the race I wished we had stayed in Newmarket and run in the Falmouth."
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As for future targets, a tilt at the QEII against the boys could be on the cards.
The trainer added: "She has an entry in the Sun Chariot and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. My priority at the end of the season would be the QEII as she likes Ascot.
"The Sun Chariot and QEII would be too close (to do both), so I would imagine it would be Matron, then the QEII."