Phoenix Reach captures another Group 1 title

Phoenix Reach added the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr 1) to the Hong Kong Group 1 race he won in December to make it a memorable night for trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Martin Dwyer.

Phoenix Reach's win might not have been entirely exhilarating but none the less pleasing as the five-year-old Alhaarth son made it five wins out of 11 starts including three Group 1 wins.

The Pick Seven fans had local hope Cherry Mix as the favourite followed by Greys Inn from Mike de Kock's yard but jockey Dwyer said he followed the instructions of the connections to score a smart win.

After Jerry Barton's Omikron had done the early running it was Godolphin's second runner Razkalla, with Kerrin McEvoy on board, which took over and led the 11-horse field into the home stretch.

Razkalla kept the lead but the seven-year-old soon fell short of steam. With the favourite Cherry Mix a beaten horse, it was Balding's Phoenix Reach who came up with the run that mattered the most.

Phoenix Reach caught and overtook Razkalla to win by over two lengths.

"I was told not to ride him wide as it would be difficult to bring him round. So I dropped him in the rails and just stuck to the inside," said Dwyer.

In fact once Dwyer found the gap he asked Phoenix to reach out and the globe-trotting star obliged most willingly.

Razkalla ran on gamely to finish second even as Collier Hill kept closing the gap with every stride.

McEvoy said his horse was beaten by a proven Group One horse in Phoenix Reach.

"Razkalla is a very genuine horse. From the good draw we had a nice position. I wound him up on the turn and he kept giving," said McEvoy, who had won his first World Cup race prior to this second place finish.

Third-placed Collier Hill received praise from his jockey Dean McKeown for his brave effort.

"It was a brilliant run and it could hardly have gone better. Last time the ground was too fast and he was staying on this better ground.

"He got closer to Razkalla and if there had been even more ease in the turf I could have definitely run second," said McKeown.

Frankie Dettori said Cherry Mix was beaten before the turn. "He settled well but he was beaten before the turn. That was not his form. I think the horse just ran flat."

Aidan O'Brien's debut on Dubai World Cup day with Powerscourt earned him a fifth place. "He was tightened on the turn. He went okay, ran well," said Kieren Fallon, who was also starting off his relationship with O'Brien with this Sheema ride.

Results

$2 million Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr 1)
Sponsored by Dubai Water Front
Thoroughbreds, (4yo+) 2400m (Turf):

Distance: 2 Lengths, Short Head, 0.50L
Winning time: 2:30.54