Reach So Close To Singapore Success

Australian raider Mummify just denied Andrew Balding´s Phoenix Reach a famous victory in the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on Sunday.

Martin Dwyer on Phoenix Reach and Kevin Manning on the Irish filly Alexander Goldrun looked set for glory as they pulled past long-time leader Epalo turning for home.

But Mummify, trained by Lee Freedman and ridden by Danny Nikolic, quickened past the pair in the final yards to take the first prize of over $500,000.

Phoenix Reach´s team now have a range of valuable races to choose for him next.

'I can´t complain, he´s run a very solid race,' trainer Andrew Balding told www.turfclub.com.sg

'The realistic options are Hanshin (the Takarazuka Kinen) in Japan or the Prince of Wales´s Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.

'Alternatively we could give him a rest and wait for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes which this year will be run at Newbury.'

Dwyer added: 'He ran a super race, a blinder, I thought I had it won. For an English horse to come out here, it was an exceptional performance.'

Connections of Alexander Goldrun, who won the Hong Kong Cup in December, blamed the rain-softened ground.

'She travelled very well and had a nice position,' said Manning. 'I thought she´d win in the straight but the ground is a shade slower than we wanted.'

Trainer Jim Bolger added: 'She ran her usual honest race. She tried her heart out and would have preferred slightly faster going. She just found a couple better on the day.'

? PA Sport