Alexander Goldrun beats the boys in Cup

Alexander Goldrun (inside) made history in the Hong Kong Cup (Courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club)

ALEXANDER GOLDRUN (Gold Away [Ire]) wasn’t the only filly entered in Sunday’s
Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1) but she was the one to make history at Sha Tin Racecourse.
With jockey Kevin Manning in the saddle, the bay sophomore became the first
filly to take the event in the history of the race.

Breaking from the 12 post, Manning settled Alexander Goldrun three wide in
midpack as Ancient World (Spinning World) set a pressured pace in front of
Elegant Fashion (Danewin) and Dance in the Mood (Jpn) (Sunday Silence). Staying
bunched up throughout, Manning waited until the stretch to ask his filly for a
run, but as the field began to separate, Alexander Goldrun sprinted through to
take the lead. The gutsy miss had to dig down to hold off the furious late rally
of Bullish Luck (Royal Academy), who came from last, but held that rival by a
short head at the wire.

“I have been riding her every morning and was very happy with the way she
came into this race,” Manning said. “We got a good position into the first bend
and then was happy to get a lead from Rakti (Polish Precedent). She has a great
turn of foot.”

Bullish Luck raced in last for much of the about 10-furlong test and came
with a late rush but couldn’t quite get to the winner, who stopped the clock in
2:03 1/5 over the good to firm turf. Touch of Land (Fr) (Lando [Ger]) came next by three parts of a length
and was followed by Powerscourt (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), Ancient World, Elegant
Fashion, Rakti, Ain’t Here (Dehere), Walkamia (Linamix), Latice (Inchinor [GB]),
Soldier Hollow (In the Wings [GB]), Fields of Omagh (Rubiton), Dance in the Mood
and Bowman’s Crossing (Dolphin Street).