By Steve Sherack
Chrome turns to gold!
That's how announcer Terry Spargo described California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit)'s sensational 3 3/4-length victory in the 21st renewal of the $10-million G1 Dubai World Cup Saturday evening at Meydan.
The 2014 Horse of the Year and GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. winner, second in the big one beneath the lights in the desert last year, became the richest North American-based Thoroughbred in history despite racing widest of all throughout the 2000-meter race with a slipped saddle.
“I wasn't that concerned about it,” pilot Victor Espinoza replied when asked about the equipment dilemma. “I just kept looking forward and thinking, 'Where's the wire?'
With winners spanning the globe from the United States, Britain, France, Japan, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, the world's richest raceday once again lived up to its billing as a truly international showcase for the sport's best.
US-born and long-time UAE based-trainer Doug Watson's dream 2016 Carnival continued with his first World Cup night win with an improbable one-two-three finish, led by One Man Band (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), in the opener for Thoroughbreds in the G2 Godolphin Mile. The native of Ohio was later represented by a bang-up second-place finish from 'TDN Rising Star' Polar River (Congrats) against the boys in the G2 UAE Derby.
HH The Aga Khan's G2 Dubai Gold Cup standout Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger})–a last out winner of the G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud in late October–hopped at the start from his rail draw, but certainly had more than enough time to gather himself for a measured late success in the 3200-meter contest. “His main quality is that he has a big turn of foot and we're not afraid to use it,” trainer Alain de Royer Dupre warned.
Those Tapits just keep winning everywhere. A group of Japanese fans let out an energetic celebration by the apron when Lani (Tapit) surged late for a last-to-first tally (so much for the premature speed-bias tag afer the Godolphin Mile) in the UAE Derby. An aggressive middle move on the extreme outside down the backstretch by veteran reinsman Yutaka Take proved key in bringing the prize back to the Far East. Quite the effort from Lani, especially after stumbling at the start as well. See him next in the Bluegrass? Sounds like Take's bags are already packed. “He's getting better and better and I'd like to go to Kentucky,” he said.
“Give us the thumbs up, mate,” a photographer quipped to jockey Damian Browne after guiding home Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) to a well-earned win in the G1 Al Quoz. The 8-year-old was making just his second career start outside of Australia in 52 career attempts.
Sheikh Hamdan's Muarrab (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) outslugged the heavily favored American raider X Y Jet (Kantharos) in a pulsating stretch battle in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. The bay was also an impressive winner while prepping locally in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal earlier this month. “He's such a star, this horse,” winning rider Paul Hanagan boasted.
An hour intermission until the G1 Dubai Turf? No problem, of course, when there's fireworks. What a sight to see.
Real Steel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the filly Euro Charline (GB) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) followed suit with some pyrotechnics of their own once the smoke cleared. Winless in six attempts dating back to last February, Real Steel overcame a wide journey to deliver the second win on the night for Japan while gamely holding off the Team Valor runner by a half length.
The lively crowd immediately came to an halt as Sheikh Mohammed made his way through the extremely congested area adjacent to the walking ring prior to the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
Postponed (Dubawi {Ire}), trained by the 37-year-old Newmarket-based Roger Varian, became the first horse to win the $6-million contest after also securing the G2 Dubai City of Gold on Meydan's Super Saturday card. He flashed home nicely to defeat last year's Japanese champion 3-year-old Duramente (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who turned in a blinder despite racing with just three shoes.
The crowd let out a good roar when they sprung the latch for the main event and exploded once again as California Chrome struck the front in the stretch, adding another chapter to a seemingly endless Hollywood script.
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