Carson's week ends on a high with Matiya

ALTHOUGH Matiya started at 25 to 1 when finishing second behind the brilliant Bosra Sham in the English 1,000 Guineas, she was undoubtedly the form filly for Saturday's Airlie Coolmore Irish 1,000 Guineas, and as such started a generous 5 to 1 as the money poured in on the inexperienced and supplemented Distant Oasis.

Matiya could hardly have won with greater ease, despite leading from fully five furlongs down. Sympathetic, post-race plaudits were accorded to 53-year-old Willie Carson, who begins a seven-day suspension today for being caught napping on Kamani at Lingfield less than two weeks ago, an episode which left the five-time champion shattered.

"Last week was kick Carson week. Hopefully, it will be another story after this. I admitted I made a mistake at Lingfield but they hung me."

As the little Scot was in further trouble with the Irish stewards on Saturday for wearing an unapproved type of helmet and incurred a five-day suspension, he might now have clearer ideas ab9ut the date of his impending retirement.

Carson, who has been 35 years in the saddle, has now won 10 Irish and 18 English classics. Two years ago he won the Irish 1,000 Guineas on Mehthaaf, Matiya, a third Irish 1,000 Guineas winner for Ham dam Al Maktoum, is the first Irish classic success for trainer Ben Hanbury who has won several good races in this country. He said: "She has come on a lot from Newmarket. She never stopped eating and thriving and is now hardier. She had not run before the Guineas, but she would never have beaten the winner."

Hanbury has no firm plans for Matiya, but he did mention the Coronation Stakes and the Epsom and Chantilly Oaks. Bosra Sham was due to contest the Coronation Stakes, but she has met with a set-back and may have to miss Royal Ascot.

In that event, Matiya may well run in the Coronation Stakes. She has been introduced at 8 to 1 for the Epsom Oaks, but the Godolphin-owned Pricket is a hot favourite for that event and Hamdan Al Maktoum may prefer to run her in the Prix de Diane on June 9th.

One way or another, Matiya will probably stay a mile-and-a-half, though the 10-and-a-half furlongs of the French classic may be more to her liking. She is by Alzao out of a mare by Young Generation and bred by Barronstown Stud. She cost only 32,000 guineas at the Goffs National Yearling Sale.

Dance Design, who ran a fine race to finish a three-length runner-up, has the Prix de Diane firmly in her sights. That was an excellent run considering it was her first for a long time," said Dermot Weld. "She was beaten by a better filly today but she really needs further." Weld will be hoping Matiya will miss the Chantilly classic.

My Branch, who had finished fourth in the 1,000 Guineas, ran to her form to take third place, half-a-length behind the Irish filly and the Barry Hills-trained filly will next run in the Jersey Stakes at Ascot.

Owner Peter Savill, who was married in Kilcock, Co Kildare, on Saturday evening, received a timely wedding present when his colt Raphane landed a gamble in the Oral B Marble Hill Stakes, readily beating the British-trained Kingsinger and Classic Park.

A first winner over the course for Kevin Darley, who won two races at Leopardstown, Raphane was the third successive winner of this event - and fifth in all - for trainer Con Collins following the successes of Soreze and Nashcash. The American-bred colt broke smartly and made all the running on the stands rails to win by a length-and-a-half.

The five furlong Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is a likely near objective, with the six furlong Phoenix Stakes as his main target. "I have no doubts he'll stay six furlongs," said his trainer who claims the colt is improving all the time.

Curragh trainer David Hanley saddled his first Group winner when the smart Lidanna arrived on the wide outside before capturing the Group Three Wetherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes in the hands of Michael Kinane.

Successful in a listed race at Tipperary on her seasonal, debut Lidanna may next run in the Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown, though her handler thinks this Group Three sprint may come a bit soon. However, she will run in either the Cork and Orrery Stakes or the Kings Stands Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Pat Flynn completed a good double with Bright Lake in the opener and Ger's Royale in the Gypsum Industries Handicap.