Lockinge return for Soviet
Wednesday, 17 May 2006 14:24Soviet Song has been given the go-ahead to make her seasonal reappearance in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
The four-time Group One-winning mare, trained by James Fanshawe, has pleased connections enough to persuade them she is ready for the first time since finishing runner-up to Proclamation in the Sussex Stakes last July.
"She's a confirmed runner for Saturday," said Matthew Budden, racing manager to owner-breeders, the Elite Racing Club.
"She had a spin this morning and James was happy with her. He would have liked a bit more time but she's certainly ready for a run and he's more than happy to take her there now.
"We're happy to take her there, but I don't think we'll be expecting to see her right at the top of her form. It's the start of the season.
Johnny Murtagh, who has ridden the six-year-old in her last 11 races, will be replaced by Jamie Spencer.
The champion jockey has ridden her just once before in public when she was fifth to Falbrav in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in 2003.
Elite will also be represented by New Seeker unless the ground is considered too soft for the Clive Cox-trained gelding.
"He'll run as well the proviso with him is the ground. He doesn't want it too soft and there is a fair bit of rain forecast," Budden continued.
"There's a maximum field of 10. We have two runners and there's prize money down to the sixth."
