Gloria de Campeao won the $10-million Dubai World Cup Saturday in a
thrilling photo finish, nosing out longshot Lizard's Desire to
capture the world's richest horse race.
The Brazilian-bred Gloria de Campeao, trained by Frenchman
Pascal Bary, finished second last year but held off Lizard's Desire
at the line to narrowly earn the victory.
Favorites Gitano Hernando and Gio Pont never seriously
challenged during the 1 1/4-mile race on the newly opened Medyan
Racecourse.
"This is the best win of my life," jockey Tiago Pereira said.
"It's unbelievable."
The race was the highlight of Saturday's eight-race, $26
million program at the newly opened Medyan Racecourse. Despite the
economic slowdown, Dubai's rulers shelled out $2 billion to
construct two racetracks, a grandstand that holds 60,000
spectators, a 290-room luxury hotel, a marina and a horse racing
museum.
The event drew many of the region's rich and famous, and they
were treated to a thrilling finale that more than made up for last
year's dominant victory by Well Armed, who finished 14 lengths
ahead of Gloria de Campeao.
As the favorites faltered, Gloria De Campeao sped out early
and maintained the lead throughout despite the strong finishes by
Lizard's Desire and third-place Allybar. The finish was so close
that Lizard's Desire jockey Kevin Shea initially started
celebrating before being told he had fallen short by a nose.
Bary said the key to the victory "was the heart" of the
horse.
"If he's alone after he's taken the lead and no one comes
after him, it is so difficult to catch him," Bary said. "He wants
to fight."
In the earlier races, the Dubai royal family showed they
remain a force when it comes to horse racing.
Al Shemali, owned by the crown prince of Dubai ruler Sheik
Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, won the $5 million Dubai Duty Free
in one of the day's biggest upsets.
Al Shemali was not expected to challenge the favorites
Presvis and Alexandros, and was given 40-1 odds in Britain of
winning. But he came on toward the end and outran Bankable.
Favorites Presvis finished 11th and Alexandros 14th.
"It was a pleasant surprise but the stable had been in
terrific form and I knew he'd stay," Al Shemali's jockey Royston
Ffrench said. "It was the case of getting a clear split and we got
it. It's the most prestigious win of my career."
It was the third victory for the royal family in the eight
races, including the $1 million Godolphin Mile by a horse from
Sheik Mohammed's Godolphin Racing stables.
Since the 1980s, Sheik Mohammed has turned Godolphin into a
major force in horse racing with purchases of top bloodstock around
the world and the establishment of United States-based operations
in Kentucky and South Carolina.
Sheik Mohammed's Calming Influence held off a late charge
from Green Coast in the Godolphin Mile.
The five-year-old Calming Influence, ridden by United Arab
Emirates native Ahmad Ajtebi, emerged from an early struggle with
Cat Junior and Le Drakkar. It appeared Calming Influence was
coasting to victory but had to hold off a challenge from always
game Green Coast. The favorite Desert Party faded and never made a
serious challenge.
In other races, Musir pulled away from Raihana and Della
Barba to win the $2 million UAE Derby.
It was a 1-2 finish for a cousin of Sheik Mohammed. Musir
eased past Raihana down the straight. Della Barba, who challenged
for the lead midway through the race, finished third.
"It's huge," Musir's trainer Mike de Kock said. "I was never
worried during the race. I said before this was a very good horse.
It knows exactly what to do in the race."
Solid Choice set the pace early in the UAE Derby but faded.
Musir, the race favorite, emerged alongside Raihana and Della Barba
before pulling away and winning by about a length.
Kinsale King won the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen
outpacing favorite Rocket Man. Jaafer won the opening Dubai Kahayla
Classic and Joy and Fun took the Al Quoz Sprint.
