Seven could be lucky number for Master Matt Matthew Smith intends to stick with seven furlongs for Master Matt as he prepares his charge for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Sovereign Path' Handicap at Leopardstown over Irish Champions Weekend. The six-year-old gelding is better known for his sprinting exploits, but reverted to seven furlongs in Gowran Park last month and came home third. "We are going to run him in the Sovereign Path. He seems to be a bit happier over that sort of trip now," Smith said. "He ran well over seven in Gowran Park the last day. Sam (Ewing) says he just seems to be a lot happier there over that trip than sprinting at the minute. He kind of just got a bit sick of it (sprinting). "He won over seven before in Listowel (September 2020). Sam said he travelled very sweetly the last day. We'll give it a try." Master Matt has won seven times in his career. Six victories came between five and six furlongs including the Listed Abergwaun Stakes over five at Tipperary in August 2021.
