Laurens Bids to Bow Out on a High in Sun Chariot

Racing says farewell to two wonderful mares this weekend, and Laurens, like Enable, will bid to bow out on a high.

The six-time group 1 winner headlines the Oct. 5 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1), a race she won in typically gutsy fashion last year.

Laurens heads to Newmarket off the back of fourth place in the Matron Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown, but trainer Karl Burke is hopeful of a bold show on her finale.

He said: "Laurens is set to make her final appearance, and she'll be a huge loss. The three seasons since she made her debut at Doncaster have absolutely flown by. What she's done for us and the yard has been tremendous.

"It would be fantastic to see her go out on a high note by claiming a seventh group 1 win, and she's in the shape to run a huge race."

On her slightly below-par effort at Leopardstown last month, he added: "Laurens probably didn't run up to her very best when fourth in the Matron Stakes, but she wasn't a long way off it.

"She had a slight bruise on a corn about a week ago, and it's just possible she was starting to be bothered by that at Leopardstown. That's all cleared up, and she's in great form now."

Veracious Back for More Group 1 Honors

Veracious struck at the top level for the first time when denying One Master by a head in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) in July and has since thrived during a summer break ahead of this autumn target.

Having been placed in the Coronation and Nassau stakes last term, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned daughter of Frankel made all when landing the Falmouth and has since pleased connections in her work at home. 

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park, said: "Veracious is in good form and has had a good break since her win in the Falmouth. This has been the target ever since, and she's continued to develop physically and mentally. It's a tough race coming up against the likes of Laurens, but she's in good form."

Champion jockey-elect Oisin Murphy, who was on board for the 4-year-old's career-best success in July, takes the ride again.

O'Brien Double-Handed in Bid for Fourth Success

Aidan O'Brien has won this race three times, including with Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) heroine Halfway To Heaven in 2008, and is double-handed with dual Guineas winner Hermosa and the consistent I Can Fly.

Hermosa, who impressed when sweeping aside her rivals in the British and Irish One Thousand Guineas, returns to the scene of her greatest triumph off the back of three defeats, including in the Matron Stakes last time.

"She ran well at Leopardstown and has been in good form since," O'Brien said. "We haven't done a lot with her since, but she obviously likes the course, having won the Guineas there, and we're very happy with her going into the race."

I Can Fly, winless since a Dundalk success in March, has run some respectable efforts in defeat and is the mount of Seamie Heffernan.

Iridessa Renews Rowley Mile Rivalry

Matron Stakes winner Iridessa returns to Newmarket for the first time since finishing eighth in the One Thousand Guineas, but she is another to boast that all-important course-and-distance form.

That came in a surprise 14-1 victory in last term's Bet365 Fillies' Mile (G1), defeating Hermosa by 1 1/2 lengths, and the daughter of Ruler of The World renews Rowley Mile rivalry with that filly. 

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "She's been in very good form since her last run at Leopardstown. She wouldn't want too much rain as she seems to handle good ground very well. She's been a star for us this season, and we're hoping she can run a big race for us again."

Lavender's Blue Out to be Dancing Queen for Andersson

Lavender's Blue goes back into group 1 company for the first time since finishing unplaced in the Investec Oaks (G1), but Amanda Perrett's 3-year-old looks to be improving rapidly.

An eye-catching winner of the Betway Atalanta Stakes (G3) at Sandown last time, the daughter of Sea The Stars has thrived since returning to a mile and bids to win this contest in the colors of Abba's Benny Andersson. 

Perrett, who is bidding for a first top-level victory since Indian Lodge's Prix de la Foret (G1) score in 2000, said: "She's come out of her race at Sandown in good form, and we're very much looking forward to tomorrow. She's won at the track, but she has to step up for this level."