Laurens Earns Fifth Group 1 Win in Sun Chariot

Another fairy-tale chapter was added to the story of Laurens Oct. 6, when Karl Burke's filly settled a score in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) at Newmarket when racking up her fifth group 1 win.

Unlike the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) in May, the East Anglian rains came just in time to wash away the memory of Laurens' defeat at the hands of the re-opposing Billesdon Brook, who never got a look in this time as the daughter of Siyouni made most to hold off the persistent Happily.

Laurens became the second winner of the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (G1) in three years, after Alice Springs in 2016, to follow up in the competitive Sun Chariot, which featured three runners from Aidan O'Brien's stable and an appearance of French raider Wind Chimes.

Backed into 11-4 favoritism (from 7-2) close to the start, Laurens was keen enough throughout but was travelling best at the bushes and ground out her fourth win of the season in a race in which little came from off the pace.

Owner John Dance had decided not to travel from his home in the northeast to see his pride and joy, but it may be a different story if she runs at the QIPCO Champions meeting at Ascot or the Breeders' Cup World Championships next time. The Breeders' Cup options would be the Mile (G1T) or Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).

Burke said: "We might've been cursing the rain if she'd got collared in the last few strides. Danny said she was still changing her legs despite all the rain, and she just dances.

"We've put that down to the firm ground before, but Danny said she was doing exactly the same out there. Two furlongs out, I thought she'd absolutely bolted up, but she needed the line in the last 100 yards."

Laurens is in the midst of a busy spell, and it may not be finished yet. Burke added: "The best decision we made was to give her a break after she'd won the Prix de Diane Longines (G1).

"When we were here last, we wanted this rain before the One Thousand Guineas, and we've got that scalp back from Billesdon Brook, but that was then and this is now."

As to the future, Laurens has options at Ascot and the Breeders' Cup, but post-race comment from jockey Daniel Tudhope may have a bearing.

"Danny said she may be better going around a bend like she did in the Matron," Burke added. "She's in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) and could be supplemented for the QEII (G1). Alternatively, she has two options at the Breeders' Cup "