Soviet back on song

Soviet Song pleased connections today in her first fast piece of work of the year ahead of her seasonal debut next month.

The multiple Group One winner, trained by James Fanshawe, was partnered by Mark Denaro in the gallop with two stable companions Royal Prince and Azarole.

The five-year-old mare is on course to reappear in either the Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 14 or the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes at the Curragh, which she won in 2004, a week later.

“Everyone was pleased the way she came through it today. Obviously there’s still a little way to go. She’s building up to running in the either the Lockinge or going to Ireland,” said Matthew Budden, racing manager for owners Elite Racing Club.

“If she’s 100 per cent spot on she will go for the Lockinge but if James feels she needs another week then she will go to Ireland,” he added.

Soviet Song’s victory at the Curragh last May was followed by success in three Group One races – the Falmouth, Sussex and Matron Stakes – before she ended the campaign by finishing sixth to Rakti in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.