Dwyer: Phoenix can reach for the stars
Martin Dwyer believes Phoenix Reach can overcome a 13-month absence to run a “big race” at Arlington Park on Saturday.
The Vodafone Derby-winning jockey teams up with the Andrew Balding-trained entire in the Grade One Arlington Million.
It will be the six-year-old’s first race since he suffered a leg injury when unplaced in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Newbury last summer.
“He’s in great order. I galloped him at Kempton a week ago in his last piece of week. He did it very well, it was a good time. I’m very, very happy with him,” Dwyer told At The Races.
“We took him to Kempton to give him a good gallop round. He went a walk around the paddock and did everything there without having a race. It was the closest thing to it.
“He’s in Chicago and he’s going to do a piece of work tomorrow morning. It will be his last little piece before Saturday.
“Obviously he’s been off the track a long time but he loves to travel abroad. He’s done us proud and it would be nice if he could run a big race again.
“He’s a professional – travelled all round the world – he knows what he’s doing, so hopefully he’ll run well.”
Dwyer also teams up with the dual Oaks-placed Rising Cross in the Beverly D Stakes on the same card.
“John Best’s filly is a tiny little thing but she has a big heart and a good engine too,” Dwyer added.
“She ran very well to finish second in the Oaks and I rode her in Ireland where she ran a really good race.
“She ran third in the Irish Oaks that day, the ground was a bit firm for her but she’s tough filly and I’m hoping she’s going to run a big race.”
