Saturday, March 26, 2005
DUBAI WORLD CUP GLORY FOR ROSES
Roses In May ran out the impressive winner of the world's richest race, the US$6-million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday.
The five-year-old, trained in America by Dale Romans and ridden by John Velazquez, made most of the running and was going very smoothly turning for home in the Group One contest.
The 11/8 favourite as never troubled to win by three lengths in a time of 2m 2.17s.
Velazquez said: “I couldn't take the lead early on. He didn't break very well, so I had to bide my time a little bit until he was comfortable.Winning the world's richest race means the world to me. I hope this is the first of many. ”
An emotional Romans added: “It's the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long time. I'm very proud..
“I thought the only way we could get beat was if we had some bad luck.I wanted to take the race to them.I knew he had the stamina and that no one else could catch him. I hope to bring him back next year.”
After Jack Sullivan’s good run which petered out in the final furlong, Butler said: “Two and a half furlongs out I thought it was going to be our day, but he didn't stay the trip.
“He's a dirt horse and we won't be messing around with him on turf this season. His target will be the Breeders’ Cup. If Lingfield were to put on a race on the sand for him, then we might use that as a trial, but I'd be happy going to Belmont without a run if we needed to. I'm so pleased for the owners and for Darryll, who gave him a brilliant ride.”
BLUES AND ROYALS STORMS HOME IN THE UAE DERBY REPORTS WWW.GODOLPHIN.COM
Blues And Royals was the very impressive winner of the Group Two US$2-million UAE Derby over nine furlongs on dirt at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday, March 26 and he will now challenge for the Kentucky Derby (May 7, Churchill Downs, USA, Grade One, 10 furlongs).
Kerrin McEvoy settled the Honour And Glory three-year-old colt in fourth place on the inside and they were always going nicely.
Blues And Royals moved up turning for home and went to the front through a narrow gap two and a half furlongs out.
He was then kicked for home and ran on relentlessly to win by 12 lengths from American-trained challenger Marenostrum in a time of 1m 50.5s, with Parole Board a length and a half back in third
The other Godolphin runner, Shamardal, partnered by Frankie Dettori, made a quick start from stall 11 and led those on the outside of the field.
He was soon a close second overall and had that position entering the straight but then faded out of contention, finishing ninth after Frankie Dettori virtually pulled him up in the closing stages.
Kerrin McEvoy said about Blues And Royals: “He travelled really well in the blinkers today and never felt like he was going to get beaten.
“He has just been going about his business at home and he has really turned it on tonight.
“I was tracking the leader on the inside and there was only half a gap, but he was going that well that he just went straight through it. I am really pleased with his performance.”
Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, commented: “Blues And Royals was a nice two-year-old last year - he won well first time out and then he was second in a really competitive race at Newbury before running disappointingly on his third start.
“Since he has been here, he has done a fair bit of work and has been going well. He looked super but obviously his form last year was nothing like as strong as Shamardal's, so he was very much our second string.
“He clearly likes that surface and was very willing - it was a much improved effort compared to how he ran on turf last year. At the moment, the plan would be to take him to the Kentucky Derby.
“He is a very useful horse and will not have another run before the Kentucky Derby. He has got a good attitude and I am sure he will give a very good account of himself in America.
“Judged on his two-year-old performances, we were not expecting him to put in a tremendous performance like that, but he had been working really well. He has very much been enjoying the dirt surface in his fast work.
“He looked very good tonight but the Run for the Roses is a different race with different opposition. We fancied Blues And Royals to finish in the money but were surprised with the way that he won the UAE Derby.
“We are not making any decisions yet for Shamardal - he ran too fresh. The pace was fast and furious up front and he did not get home.
“We cannot accurately judge him on what he did tonight because he got very tired. We knew he was a bit short of work - he was too keen. Whether he still is on an American programme, or whether we take him back to Europe depends.
“We need to let the dust settle and see how he is before making that decision. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum will be deciding on Shamardal's programme within the next couple of weeks.”
He revealed that the UAE Derby third Parole Board will be joining Godolphin immediately.
Simon Crisford added: “It is likely that Frankie Dettori will ride Blues And Royals in the Kentucky Derby which this year does not clash with the Guineas in England. But no final decision will be made until closer to the time.
“Blues And Royals would travel over to Kentucky on April 26. He is a very active fresh horse and keeps himself fit. There was certainly no lack of fitness tonight.
“It is entirely possible that we may have more than one runner in Kentucky. Shamardal has not been ruled out yet - we know he is a very good horse. Parole Board could be considered for the race as well.”
Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, said: “Blues And Royals ran a great race and improved a lot on the dirt. Shamardal was disappointing.”
Frankie Dettori declared: “Shamardal was too fresh and was always going too fast - he was a spent force in the straight. If he had kept up that pace he would have been a motorbike not a racehorse.”
Godolphin has now won four runnings of the UAE Derby. The other victories came with Essence of Dubai (2002), Express Tour (2001) and China Visit (2000).
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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