'She's in great form. I wouldn't swap my filly' - Dermot Weld in optimistic mood

Saturday: 4.55 Leopardstown
Coolmore America "Justify" Matron Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies and Mares) | 1m | 3yo+ | RTE2/RTV

A patient approach has paid off spectacularly with many of Dermot Weld's stable stars down the years, and Ireland's eight-time champion trainer will be hoping for a similar reward with Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs.

It's been 111 days since the lightly raced daughter of Frankel delivered a knockout performance at the Curragh, beating Oaks winner Tuesday by five and a half lengths.

Connections appear to have been keen to avoid overly quick conditions for the three-year-old filly, and that will not be an issue after the arrival of more than 116mm of rain in the last week.

This will be Homeless Songs' first start on ground softer than good to yielding, but her dam Joailliere was particularly effective in testing conditions. She rates the one to beat.

Saffron Beach: big player in the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Her main rival Saffron Beach has won on both good to firm and soft ground and looks likely to provide the biggest test the Moyglare filly has faced in her five-race career.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained contender arrives in rude health after winning the Prix Rothschild last time, with Saturday's rivals Tenebrism in second and Pearls Galore in fifth.

Official ratings suggest Saffron Beach has 4lb to find with Homeless Songs, but the older challenger's experience in Group 1 company is a valuable asset.

Despite Tenebrism finishing second over this trip last time at Deauville, she looks more effective at 7f. Her chances will be enhanced if Ryan Moore can conserve energy with a ground-saving trip from stall one.

Pearls Galore (orange cap): runner-up in last year's Coolmore Matron StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Pearls Galore, runner-up in this race 12 months ago, is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and has the potential to show up well, but she hasn't looked quite as good this season as was the case in 2021.

Don't be surprised if the Henry de Bromhead-trained Star Girls Aalmal, who is joined here by stablemate Honey Girl, outruns her odds now back on an easy surface.

Weld sizing up autumn campaign

Dermot Weld is looking forward to the first step in a major autumn campaign with Homeless Songs, then taking in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp and Breeders' Cup at Keeneland.

The trainer has already won the Matron three times, including 20 years ago with Moyglare Stud homebred Dress To Thrill, and says he wouldn't swap his runaway Irish 1,000 Guineas winner for anything else in the race.

"I'm delighted with her progress," said Weld, who also won with Valley Forge in 1977 and Emulous in 2011.

Homeless Songs and Dermot Weld after the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 GuineasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"She's in great form. I think being patient was the correct approach for her and long term I certainly think it will prove to be."

He added: "It's a very, very good Group 1, an excellent race. They're all very good. Saffron Beach is a very smart four-year-old and Tenebrism is a Group 1 winner.

"I think we could see a better filly there on Saturday, but I wouldn't swap my own filly. I'm very happy with her."

What they say

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owners of Lights On
We know she likes some ease in the ground. Whether the heavy rain in Ireland will make it more testing than ideal, we don't know, but she ran extremely well when winning at Sandown earlier this year and the weather has been against her all season. Sir Michael [Stoute] said to me that he felt she was a Group 1 filly and we kept her in training as a five-year-old for that reason. It's certainly not an easy race, but she's in good heart and we'll roll the dice.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Pearls Galore
She's in good form. I think the turning mile will suit her again, having finished second in the race last year. The ease in the ground won't inconvenience her and we're looking forward to running her.

Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Saffron Beach
We've had this race in mind since her win in France and she's been in good form at home in her prep. If the ground stays soft or better she will be okay on it, but if it goes heavy we're not sure.

Tenebrism: dual Group 1 winner is one of two Aidan O'Brien-trained fillies in the Coolmore Matron StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Agartha
She won very nicely last time and is fit and well. She won't mind the rain falling and it would be great if she could be placed.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Concert Hall and Tenebrism
We think Concert Hall is much better than her last run in the Nassau and she's working very nice. We've been very happy with her since then. We're coming back to a mile but she's got good form over this trip too. Tenebrism has plenty of speed. She's drawn nicely on the rail [in stall 1] and getting the trip is the thing with her, but she's got some nice form over a mile, including last time at Deauville. She seems to be in good form since then.

Wayne Lordan, rider of Star Girls Aalmal
She's got some very good form. Her Irish 1,000 Guineas fourth was a cracking effort and she also showed up well in the Jersey at Royal Ascot. She didn't sparkle last time at Fairyhouse but I think she's got a chance. At this time of year you never know how fillies can progress. I feel she's a good ride.

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