Dubai: There were truly emotional scenes at Meydan last Saturday evening after Victoire Pisa led home a 1-2 in the world's richest horse race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup, for Japan. With their homeland devastated by an earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese media and horse connections had, all week, been sporting T-shirts with the date of the disaster and, on World Cup night itself, there were dozens of posters and banners wishing their countrymen at home well. The warm embrace to the winning connections offered by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was symbolic of the sympathy offered by everybody in attendance (estimated to be over 80,000) as well as the millions watching worldwide.
Hopefully those able to watch in Japan were able to forget their woes for a short period to celebrate a truly remarkable result. They have tried for many years to win the Dubai World Cup with no joy (they have won other races on the card) so, to provide first and second this year is no mean achievement.
A lot of the credit should go to their jockeys with Italian Mirco Demuro rightly receiving all the plaudits internationally after his inspired ride on the winner, trained by Katsuhiko Sumii. Demuro was the only jockey to react to the pedestrian early pace being set by Shinji Fujita on eventual runner-up Transcend in the 2,000m Tapeta contest. Virtually last early on, Demuro rushed his mount up to dispute as the runners left the back straight and, turning for home, it developed into a duel up front. Cape Blanco and Gio Ponti tried to go after them but could not quicken off the pedestrian pace and only Monterosso was able to run on from the back to snatch third.
Meanwhile, Victoire Pisa had passed his compatriot who would not give in without a fight but could not claw back the deficit.
Demuro explained: "My horse actually banged his head on the stalls which was why we were in rear early on. However, the pace was so slow that I was worried I was too far out of my ground when the sprint started so I made sure I had a good position turning in.
Cheer factor
"We really only raced for the last two furlongs and he quickened well when it mattered. This obviously means a lot to the owner, trainer and all their families with so much going on in Japan."
Of the runner-up, Fujita said: ‘I was happy setting a steady pace and was surprised nobody contested the lead. Once we were passed he battled on bravely but it was not to be. However, it is a great result for Japan."
Favourite Twice Over was one of a host of runners never able to land a blow and his disappointed trainer Henry Cecil said: "It was a disaster; he was a bit short of room early on and once he was shuffled back he could never get involved. It is disappointing."
Luca Cumani trained Presvis who made it third time lucky in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free over 1,800m on turf. Given an ultra-confident ride by Ryan Moore, Presvis, runner-up in this race at Nad Al Sheba in 2009 but unable to land a blow last year, was virtually last turning for home. However, as he normally does, he made rapid headway to challenge 200m out and ran on strongly to deny the gallant River Jetez close home. Cumani was, of course, delighted: "That was brilliant from horse and jockey; Ryan at his very best. This horse goes so well for Ryan because he gives him so much confidence. They really are a perfect pair and it will be a shame if he cannot ride him in Hong Kong next month as it clashes with the big meeting at Newmarket this year sadly."
The other Group 1 turf feature, the 2,400m Sheema Classic, went the way of Rewilding for trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni and one of three Godolphin winners on the night. Frankie Dettori was on the 4yo, bouncing back to winning ways having been off the track since disappointing when favourite for last year's St Leger at Doncaster. Dettori said: "He was nice and fresh which seems to be the key to him; he does not seem to take races in quick succession and needs to be given a break."
Earlier Dettori had won the Group 2 Godolphin Mile on Skysurfers, trained by Saeed Bin Surour as was the history maker Khawlah who won the Group 2 UAE Derby. In doing so, the UAE Oaks heroine became the first filly to beat the colts in this race. Mickael Barzalona was in the saddle and Bin Surour said: "Mickael has done everything right and is a young jockey with a big future. We really like Khawlah and hope she can be a big player in Europe. The Epsom Oaks will be her target and we will have to see if she has a run before as she goes so well fresh.
"Skysurfers loves it here on the Tapeta but has some decent turf form as well. He had a bad draw but Frankie gave him a great ride."
The other Thoroughbred Group 1 was the 1,200m Golden Shaheen on the Tapeta and Rocket Man, second in 2010, went one better for Singapore-based South African Patrick Shaw.
Philippe Barbe saddled the opening winner with Seraphin Du Paon landing the Purebred Arabian's Kahayla Classic under a masterful Olivier Peslier.
But the night truly belonged to Japan…
