Joe Murphy could hardly have been more proud of Cercene after her second placed finish in a debilitating renewal of the Qatar Nassau Stakes in Goodwood.
A flood of rain changed the soil heavily and lightning in the area made it impossible for the starting stalls to use, with a flag start instead required in the exceptionally challenging circumstances.
Aidan O’Brien’s Wervel, the 6-5 favorite, justified that status with a five-length victory, but behind her was 11-1 shot Cercene under rider Gary Carroll.
Murphy has often sought a fast land for the chestnut, who won the coronation deployment at 33-1 on good to be firm at Ascot, but in heavy rain she showed how difficult she is with an admirable run in the second, with a mile and a quarter.
“We were very happy with the foincent, Gary said she was wheeled on the floor and she was still running a great race,” said Murphy.
“We know that she needs good land, but she is just pure courage, she is something great.
“She is incredible, she really is. Cannot describe words how sincere and honest and difficult she is. She loves life.
“She doesn’t get the journey a problem, but I think we are going back for the Matron (commitment, more than a mile in Leopardstown) and hope that the ground is good.
“She is the best mandriffs I have ever trained and I have had some really good mares.
“She just comes at the top, you could see the courage yourself. Pure courage. I am proud, I am proud of everyone. I am also proud of myself!”
Or he was considering pulling her back when the rain fell so heavily, the trained joked: “If you look at the prize pool and see the check that you could get … we need the money!”
Andrew Balding’s See The Fire was the third placed horse on 5-2 under Oisin Murphy, a total of six and a quarter length.
“The circumstances were clearly not ideal, but who means that we would have defeated the winner?” the trainer said.
“She wasn’t terribly difficult and then seemed ok.
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