O’Brien sets sights on Matron return for Porta Fortuna

Porta Fortuna is back cantering as Donnacha O’Brien targets a defence of the Matron Stakes title she won last year.

A four-times Group One winner, she made the perfect start to this season when winning the Lanwades Stud Stakes.

She was subsequently ruled out of Royal Ascot due to injury and while she is on her way back to action, O’Brien fears he will not have time to get her run into her prior to the Irish Champions Festival on September 13 and 14.

“She is good and back cantering. She picked up a ligament injury which has taken her a while to get back from and the earliest she will be back is for the Matron Stakes,” said O’Brien.

“That’s what we are hoping for as it is in the time frame to get her back to the track.

“She won’t have time for a prep race so will have to go straight there but it is a Group One in Ireland, so makes sense for a lot of reasons.”