Soviet Song prevails in Sussex

Soviet Song bested 10 male rivals in the Group 1, $547,000 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday to establish herself as Europe's leading miler.

With nowhere to go at the quarter pole, Soviet Song looked in trouble, but jockey Johnny Murtagh waited patiently. When a gap appeared, Soviet Song took advantage, taking the lead from the eventual third-place finisher, Le Vie dei Colori, then holding Nayyir's late challenge safe by a neck. The 3-1 second choice, Soviet Song covered the mile on good ground in 1:36.98.

This year's 2000 Guineas winner, Haafhd, weakened to ninth, but the Godolphin-owned 5-2 favorite, Refuse to Bend, was even more disappointing, beaten 17 1/4 lengths into last after leading halfway.

Trained by James Fanshawe, Soviet Song had most recently ended Attraction's undefeated record in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes. Fanshawe is thinking of sending her back against fillies next time in the one-mile Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Sept. 11.

* On Friday, the undefeated juvenile Blue Dakota, winner of the Group 3 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, will go for his fifth straight victory in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at six furlongs. He is trained by Jeremy Noseda.