Andrew Balding praises team effort as Spanish Mission finishes brave third

Andrew Balding described Spanish Mission’s third in the Lexus Melbourne Cup as “a real thrill” for the whole team after they set their alarms to watch the big race unfold on Tuesday morning.

Craig Williams’ mount, owned by Team Valor and Gary Barber, travelled smoothly and looked a leading player turning into the straight. Despite being passed on his outside by the winner Verry Elleegant, the five-year-old stayed on gamely to finish in the places.

Spanish Mission earned just over £300,000 in prize-money and he will be considered for the HK$20million (£1.88m) Longines Hong Kong Vase, won by Mogul last year, at Sha Tin on December 12.

Balding said: “I was thrilled with him and he’s run with real credit. I have to give a big thanks to everyone who has been involved – Tony Noonan and his son Tom have done a brilliant job with him, as has Neil Varley who has been riding him out there. Maddy O’Meara did the quarantine in Newmarket with him, so it’s been a big team effort.

“It was exciting getting up early to watch the race and it’s a big deal. All the staff were up in their various places to watch him run and everyone has got a real thrill out of it. I hope it’s not the last time we have a runner in the race.

“He has an invitation to go for the Hong Kong Vase, which is a possibility, but we’ll have to see how he comes out of the race.”

Balding and Joseph O’Brien, responsible for last year’s winner Twilight Payment who finished 11th, were the only British or Irish trainers represented in this year’s race after enhanced veterinary procedures dissuaded other connections from making the journey.

Spanish Mission was forced to miss the first international shipment and the Caulfield Cup after having muscle spasms, then survived a late scare in the lead-up after vets reported swelling in a foreleg on Thursday and Friday.

Balding said: “I can see why they have changed the protocols but I’m sure they will review how it’s done, particularly in terms of the pre-travel scans. It’s their race though and it’s for them to decide what the protocol is going forward.”

Verry Elleegant: successful under James McDonaldCredit: Brett Holburt / Getty

Williams described Spanish Mission’s effort as “gallant” and praised Balding and his team for their preparation of the Doncaster and Yorkshire Cup winner, who landed Belmont's Jockey Club Derby Invitational when trained by David Simcock in 2019.

The jockey said: “I couldn’t have been any more impressed with his gallant performance. We had a nice run through, but when Verry Elleegant came around me, she was towing.

“Spanish Mission ran a really good race and was fighting it out for second. It was a great job by Andrew and his team and what a gallant warrior to go to battle with, so I thank them for the opportunity.”

Twilight Payment carried 6lb more than when successful last year and could not lead from stall two. He raced in mid-division but failed to trouble the principals, beaten just under 20 lengths after losing his left-fore shoe in the race.

His jockey Jye McNeill said: “He wasn’t able to get into his usual front-running role and at the halfway point he really struggled."

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday