Matareya third in G1 Test Stakes

Matareya suffered a surprise defeat as she finished third in the G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga, USA, on Saturday, 6 August.

The Pioneerof The Nile homebred had established herself as one of the best three-year-old fillies on dirt this season and headed into the seven-furlong highlight on the back of four straight wins, including a dominant display in the G1 Acorn Stakes.

Hot Peppers broke quickest of all and strode on into a length advantage, with the Brad Cox-trained Matareya held up in fifth of the seven runners towards the outside of the field.

Matareya moved up a place leaving the back straight and went second turning in after being switched down the inside rail by Flavien Prat. She was angled out to challenge Hot Peppers in the straight and stayed on to eyeball the leader approaching the final half-furlong.

Hot Peppers bumped Matareya, forcing the Godolphin runner to lean into Chi Town Lady, who soon quickened passed both fillies to score by a length and a half. Matareya could find no extra close home, hitting the line a neck behind Hot Peppers.