Champion Monterosso out of Dubai World Cup
Last year’s winner reported lame just hours ahead of big race at Meydan
Dubai: Reigning Dubai World Cup champion Monterosso has been withdrawn from this year’s race due to injury, according to Dubai Racing Club.
The Godolphin charge stormed to victory in last year’s running of the world’s richest horse race under young jockey Mickael Barzalona. The pair were due to be reunited on Saturday, but Monterosso has reportedly pulled up lame in his left foreleg.
“There’s a late scratching in the Dubai World Cup. Horse 9, Monterosso will not run. Horse 11, African Story to be ridden by M Barzalona,” Dubai Racing Club tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
Godolphin confirmed the news on their Twitter feed and later posted on their website: “Trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni was not happy with Monterosso this morning and, unfortunately, a small problem means the horse is a non-runner.”
Barzalona’s switch to African Story means Kieren Fallon will be without a ride in the day’s feature race.
