Attraction Faces Guineas Winners in Irish Matron

By Mary Schweitzer
Dual Guineas winner Attraction takes on 2005 Guineas winners Virginia Waters and Saoire in Saturday's group I Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Mark Johnston-trained Attraction won both the English One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) and Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) in 2004. She is looking for her first win of the season, having disappointed in her only two starts this year.

Both Virginia Waters and Saoire look to recapture their form from earlier this season. Virginia Waters, a daughter of Kingmambo, easily won the English One Thousand Guineas in May, but has tailed off since. Saoire won the Irish One Thousand Guineas, making her trainer, Frances Crowley, the first woman to train a winner of the classic. However, Saoire has also been off-form of late.

The field also includes Celebration Mile (Eng-II) winner Chic, Oak Tree Stakes (Eng-III) winner Majestic Desert, and Coronation Stakes (Eng-I) runner-up Karen's Caper.