Wachman lavishes praise on Legatissimo

Legatissimo grabbed her third Group One victory of the season with a dominant performance in the Matron Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown.

The 7/4 favourite, trained by David Wachman and ridden by Wayne Lordan, raced in fifth of the nine runners before easing into third with two and a half furlongs left.

She tanked into contention to pick off Euro Charline with over a furlong to race. She wasn't for stopping in the latter stages and put the contest away by two and a quarter lengths.

French-raider Cladocera came through for second at 11/1 with Ainippe (16/1) the same distance away in third.

David Wachman said: "She's been improving all year. She seemed to travel very well, quicken well and put it to bed well.

"She seems to be getting fresh between her races. She hadn't run in about six weeks and we'll try and give her another six weeks and head to the Breeders Cup.

"I'll have to talk the owners but I'd like to go for the fillies and mares turf.

"She wants good ground and only barely tolerated that. I was very close to not running her today and drove her expecting to take her out. But when I walked it I got a nice surprise.

"She wants good ground as does Gleneagles and when it looked like he would run in the Champion if he got that ground she was always going to go for the fillies race.

"We had no qualms about the mile but the ground was definitely a worry. It was a very good performance.

"I'd have to put her at the top of the horses I have trained."

Wayne Lordan said: "She's a high-class filly and I couldn't believe how well I travelled even dropping back in trip. When I turned in she was grand and relaxed. I gave her a little kick just to see was I still okay and she actually came up from underneath me so I was there a little bit soon.

"She gets a mile and a quarter well so the issue of getting a mile wasn't a problem. When I got to the front she picked up. It's comfortable when you ride good fillies like that that just go through the race so easy. She just loves to run for you."

Legatissimo also won the English 1,000 Guineas and the Nassau Stakes this year and was beaten a short head in two further Group Ones - the Pretty Polly Stakes and the English Oaks.

Paddy Power quote Legatissimo at 5/4 for the Breeders Cup fillies and mares race.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson