The Matron Stakes (10th Sept)

With Minding being backed for the Irish Champion Stakes (same day) the price of Qemah has contracted into 2/1 (from 11/4) with 'paddies', 5/2 still available with a few.

Minding continues to drift and now showing 7/4 with 'paddies' from 'evens' with Qemah as short as 13/8 with 'stanj****' but generally 2/1 from 5/2 with others. It is possible Minding could be diverted to the Irish Champion Stakes instead of running here post the demise of USAR in the Royal Whip 2 weekends ago.

A free 'run' for Qemah perhaps?

Tomorrow is vindication day for the persistent backing and contraction of the price of Qemah eg will Minding run here leaving Qemah a 'free' run for the top prize?

AOB has confirmed Moore is riding Alice Springs - no Minding - and Somehow has tweaked a muscle so will not be running. Looks like a penalty kick for Qemah.

This race has got Qemah's name on the trophy after the defection of Minding so why is Persuasive being backed despite hacking up in a handicap and a Group 3 race? This is Gp 1!

I've backed Persuasive and I don't think she has a huge amount to find against Qemah. I know I said I'd take Qemah in a hypothetical rematch with La Cressonniere but that was assuming everything else was equal. Qemah has run a couple of top efforts and I'm not sure how much more she'll have in the tank. Persuasive comes here on the back of her best run yet, the Gp3 win was quite impressive in a decent time. She'd had a break since Ascot and is an improved filly who's relatively fresh, she should at least run Qemah close I reckon.

Backed Qemah win.

I just do not know what to make of Persuasive - the money is still coming for her - however, backing against a horse that has only won a Gp3 in a Gp1 has seen me in good stead in the past; I may back either in-running but Qemah at 7/4 is too big a price.