Phoenix Reach wins Hong Kong Vase

Phoenix Reach gave his trainer Andrew Balding something to cheer about towards the end of an indifferent season with a battling success in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin today.

Last season’s St Leger third and Canadian International winner had been below form on his first three starts this year, but showed signs that he was on the way back when sixth in the Japan Cup two weeks ago.

And under a positive ride from Martin Dwyer he repaid his connections’ patience with a half-length call over Godolphin’s Sights Of Gold, with last year’s victor Vallee Enchantee a further length and a half back in third.

Dwyer kicked on early in the straight off a steady pace and he kept enough up his sleeve to hold off Frankie Dettori’s mount in a rousing finish.

Balding is in only his second season as a trainer and won the Vodafone Oaks as well as the big Canadian race last year.

However, things had not gone to plan this time and winning this first prize was a massive boost for the handler.

“I think we needed it,” Balding said afterwards. “We had a nice bunch of two-year-olds but they struggled a bit as did the older horses this year.

“Phoenix Reach suffered from a viral infection in the early summer which ruled him out but it’s all come good.

“He ran a great race in Japan and they said he could come to Hong Kong if we wanted him to. The trainer was reluctant but the owner was keen and the jockey was adamant we should go. So they made the decision for me.”

Dwyer, who had a brief but unsuccessful spell in Hong Kong last winter, always felt reasonably confident during the race.

He said: “He travelled so well that I was able to get a good position early. They went very slow and I wanted to move up early and he quickened up well in the straight.

“He’s a very good horse. He’s a Group One winner and placed in an English Classic and that’s not easy to do.”

Clive Brittain’s Warrsan, who was third in the race 12 months ago, dropped out tamely in the straight to finish ninth of the 12 runners.

Mick Channon’s Imperial Dancer was eighth while the Aidan O’Brien-trained Brian Boru was last of the 12 runners.

The winner paid 26-1 on the local tote.