Sun Chariot looks set to be next port of call for Matron heroine Laurens

Laurens is likely to stay at a mile to bid for the fifth Group One win of her career in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on October 6.

Karl Burke’s tough filly made all to shock superstar miler Alpha Centauri in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, having failed to see out the mile-and-a-half trip of the Yorkshire Oaks.

Burke had been thinking of a return to France for the Prix de l’Opera on Arc de Triomphe weekend, but as that race is over 10 furlongs and she proved so effective at a mile in Ireland, she is set to stay closer to home.

The North Yorkshire trainer said on Sunday morning: “She’s come out of the race fine, she’s on her way home and while I haven’t seen her, I’ve been told everything is good.

“We haven’t had chance to have a chat, her two options are the Sun Chariot or to go back to France, but I would think going by what John (Dance, owner) said the Sun Chariot is going to be the preferred option.

“She doesn’t quicken, she lengthens and that is why we all thought she’d stay further.

“I still think she probably wasn’t 100 per cent on the day in the Yorkshire Oaks, she was beaten a long way out, but that is behind us now and we’ll look forwards to her next race.

“I’m working on John to get him to keep her in training next year, too!”

The Jessica Harrington-trained Alpha Centauri appeared to falter for a step or two in the closing stages, and it later transpired the Niarchos family-owned three-year-old had suffered a fetlock injury.

Burke added: “It’s a shame what happened to the favourite, but it just shows you should never be afraid of one horse.”