Soviet's on song

Goodwood Report and preview: Soviet Song came out on top in a thrilling Cantor Odds Sussex Stakes at Goodwood yesterday.

The James Fanshawe-trained filly, conqueror of the previously unbeaten Attraction on her last start, came there sweetly under Johnny Murtagh approaching the final furlong to take it up from Le Vie Dei Colori.

Nayyir finished well and tried hard to peg her back, but Soviet Song would not be denied and held on by a neck, with another two lengths to Le Vie Dei Colori.

Refuse To Bend hit the front with three furlongs to run, with Haafhd in close attendance. But their efforts soon petered out as the ex-Italian Le Vie Dei Colori swept past.

Soviet Song (3 to 1) was going well in behind, though, and quickly asserted once in the clear.

Fanshawe said: "She's very special. Everyone seemed slightly baffled that Attraction got beaten last time, but she's come out of the race well and shown the colts how to do it today. She's a pleasure to train.

"That's her sixth race this year and she came back from every race and improved for each one. She's really tough. She took her races badly last year, but she's had a year to mature and I'm really grateful to the Elite Racing Club for keeping her in training.

"It's their 200th winner and they've done it in style." said Murtagh: "She showed at Newmarket how good she was. There were a lot of question marks here today but she travelled beautifully in behind.

"I was waiting for Darryll (Holland on Le Vie Dei Colori) to move, but I always had him covered. Mick Kinane (on Nayyir) came with a strong challenge, but she had enough in the locker.

"My filly responded really well and she's a great filly. She's tough, she's genuine and she likes to win now."

Kinane added: "We will come back here for the Celebration Mile (on August 28th), all being well. I thought when I got to Soviet Song I was going to beat her, but she just found a little bit extra."

Frankie Dettori said of the disappointing favourite, Refuse To Bend: "We jumped good to get a position but I couldn't get him to settle, and we ended up taking on Haafhd for the lead."