ALEXANDER GOLDRUN SCORES CXHK CUP FOR IRELAND

Alexander Goldrun gets up to beat Bullish Luck for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup provided a thrilling finish in which Irish raider Alexander Goldrun became the first filly to triumph in the race´s history.

Trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning had been quietly confident through the week as their filly had shone in track work but were concerned after the barrier draw. 'Her draw was a worry, gate 12 wasn´t a help but on the day she broke well and got into a good early position behind Rakti,' said Manning.

Alexander Goldrun had a light autumn campaign after some good efforts in the Irish and French Guineas. Her first Group One win came at Longchamp over today´s trip of 2000m when she romped home in the Prix de l´Opera.

'After France there were no options for her to have a prep race but this was always the plan. She will now stay in training for next season,' said Bolger.

Bolger has come close to tasting success here in Hong Kong having finished second with Desert Style back in 1995 in the Hong Kong Bowl, now the Hong Kong Mile. Dermot Weld was the last Irish trainer to grace the Hong Kong winners´ enclosure back in 1991.

Just a short head back in second was local challenger Bullish Luck who came so close to giving the Cruz/Coetzee patnership another memorable day. 'We were expecting a big run. Tony (Cruz, trainer) told me whatever happened to switch him off in behind. He is the kind of horse that can quicken up of a slow pace like he did when he won the Gold Cup here last term. He lugged in a bit under pressure and that might probably have cost him.'

Big race favourite Rakti ran much better than in Japan but did not show the form he did in the race last year when he finished second to Falbrav and in Group One races in Europe this year.

'He´s not quite the horse he was at the start of the season. Better than he was in the Japan but still not quite at his top. He just couldn´t find that extra gear. He really gave me nothing in the straight,' reported his jockey Philip Robinson. The horse had been very difficult in his track work earlier in the week, bolting on several occasions.