New York On Horizon For Super Soviet

Connections of Soviet Song have ambitious plans for the mare in her farewellseason after she swooped to land back-to-back victories in the UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.

The Breeders´ Cup meeting at Belmont Park could be her swansong, and there are other major prizes to go for in the meantime.

Soviet Song produced a decisive turn of foot under Johnny Murtagh to sweep past the front-running Peeress at the furlong pole and eventually won by two and a half lengths fom Alexander Goldrun.

With the pace only moderate, the James Fanshawe-trained five-year-old had plenty of ground to make up with a furlong and a half to run from her usual place at the back of the field.

But the 7-4 favourite picked up instantly once Murtagh popped the question and she swept through the field in the Group One contest.

Fanshawe said: 'We were concerned there´d be a lack of pace, but there was never any question of changing her tactics. That´s her style and she just loved it - there´s not many in training who can pick up like she can.

'She trained really well last Wednesday and flew past her lead horse, but you never can tell until you get on the racecourse.

'You never like it when one as good as this gets beaten, but I wasn´t too disappointed when she was third at Royal Ascot at York.

'I knew she would come on for it and since then she has just been more like her old self again. She was just showing her old dash again and it´s just great to see her back here.

'I know she is five now, but I kept thinking about Kelly Holmes - Dame Kelly Holmes, I should say. She wasn´t exactly in the first flushes of youth when she hit her peak!

'I´m very conscious of the fact that there are races later in the season for her and we have already talked about going to New York, but the Sussex Stakes will be next.'

Murtagh added that he felt Soviet Song was 'getting back to where she was last year'.

'James was very confident,' the rider said. 'He said to drop her out, get her relaxed and get her usual turn of foot. It worked perfectly for me.

'I rode Ridgewood Pearl to win the Breeders´ Cup Mile in 1995 and this mare is just as good as her.

'She´s just coming, really. I think she´ll improve throughout the year.'

The calibre of the winner´s performance was amply demonstrated by the respectful distance at which another multiple Group One winner, Alexander Goldrun, followed her home.

Her trainer Jim Bolger said: 'We´ll have a look at the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, but I´m in no hurry to take on Soviet Song again, although it has been fun trying.

'There are no excuses - the winner is just a much better miler than we are. Ours is better at a mile and two.

'She won´t be going to the Breeders´ Cup as she hasn´t been nominated and it is a prohibitive entry fee, but I´m hoping we get invited back to Hong Kong.'

Mick Kinane said of Peeress, who was just edged out of second spot: 'She has run well and has finished behind two genuine Group One fillies.'

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute added: 'I´m very pleased with her. We keep asking her another question and she keeps answering them.'

Bookmakers Coral have installed Soviet Song as their 5-4 favourite for the Sussex Stakes, with Jersey Stakes winner Proclamation next in the market at 3-1 and Coral-Eclipse hero Oratorio 5-1.

(C) PA Sport