http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/dubai-world-cup-2013-st-nicholas-abbey-ends-gentildonna-run-in-dubai-sheema-classic-1.1164844
Dubai World Cup 2013: St Nicholas Abbey ends Gentildonna run in Dubai Sheema Classic
Track record set as trainer Aidan O’Brien achieves second win of Dubai World Cup
- By M. Satya Narayan, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
- Published: 23:40 March 30, 2013
- Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
- Race 8 (Dubai Sheema Classic): St Nicholas Abbey, ridden by Joseph O'Brien and trained by Aidan O'Brien wins the 2410m Dubai Sheema Classic.
Dubai: Aidan O’Brien’s St Nicholas Abbey claimed victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic and, into the bargain, put an end to the five-race unbeaten run of Japan’s top filly Gentildonna.
Last year, St Nicholas Abbey, under O’Brien’s jockey-son Joseph, lost out by a neck in a thrilling battle with French raider Cirrus Des Aigles.
But on Saturday night, it got the better of the Gentildonna, who was the favourite both with bookmakers and the pick six followers here.
Joseph kept St Nicholas Abbey just off the pace, while Yasunari Iwata tracked the O’Brien runner from just behind.
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At the final turn, St Nicholas Abbey switched gears and moved to the front, while after turning for home the Japanese filly looked to be struggling to keep pace. With about four hundred metres to go, and the fervent Japanese fans cheering her on, Gentildonna mounted a challenge, but it was soon snuffed out by the Irish raider.
A new track record was set in what was O’Brien’s second win of the night after Lines Of Battle had earlier emerged victorious in the UAE Derby under Ryan Moore.
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“This is a very good horse and everyone remembers what he did when he was only two years old (he was unbeaten in three starts, including the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy),” trainer O’Brien said.
“Joseph was quietly confident of him as he showed so much of promise on the ground during his workouts.”
His son, who has been the regular partner of St Nicholas Abbey, said: “I think he tried very hard tonight. It is such a joy to ride him.
“There didn’t seem to be much of a pace going into this race on paper and Mr Smith [Derek, one of the owners] told me to ride him further forward. And this helped as he got the space to move in.”
“ It was a tough race and I knew we had to do something different from last year. It is ever so special to come and win. He gives his best every day. It is a great and special feeling to ride for my dad [Aidan]. But what makes this even more special is that there are the best horses, the best trainers and the best jockeys and I have ended on top here,” the winning jockey said.
Yasunari Iwata, Gentildonna’s jockey, said: “She ran very well and was in good form today.”
Qatari raider Very Nice Name did very well to come in third, and French jockey Olivier Peslier was delighted with the result.
“He gave me a good finish. Third place is very good and he sets the standard in Qatar. I was expecting him to run well and I’m very happy for my boss,” he said.
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