Admire Moon wins $5m DDF

Dubai: The Dubai Duty Free (Group 1) lived up to its tag of being the joint richest race on turf by producing a classic finish that gave Japan their third win in two years here on the big day.

Admire Moon was the favourite going into the race, but the four-year-old End Sweep colt had to contend with a handful of star runners which included Japan's Daiwa Major, American raiders English Channel, Miesque's Approval and Lava Man, Australia's Pompeii Ruler, French hope Stormy River and Indian long-shot Mystical among others.

It was Mike de Kock's Irridescence, under Weichong Marwing, which did the early running.

And once the field settled down, the Japanese raiders positioned themselves well.

Yutake Take, no newcomer to success on the big day, kept Admire Moon well within striking distance and with about 400 metres to go, made his move after Seihali had hit the front.

After success for two American runners, an Argentine Derby winner and a New Zealand giving Honk Kong their first win, it was time for Japan to strike and Admire Moon did just that.

Owner Riichi Kondo had, in fact, predicted that he would win.

Lengthening stride

And Admire Moon leng-thened his stride and left behind Linngari, the 5-year-old son of Indian Ridge to return home with the $3 million prize money. Behind Linngari was Japan's Daiwa Major and elder statesman Seihali was fourth.

It was Admire Moon's 8th win in 13 starts.

"He performed quite brilliantly and he was confident coming into the race and was able to ride him accordingly.

"This horse is getting better with every race and he is definitely one of the best horses in the world and I would like to race him in Europe," said the winning jockey.

Kevin O' Shea, whose Linngari finished just half a length behind the winner, said: "He has run a fantastic race, and we made up a lot of ground, but basically the wide draw [16] beat us."

Katsumi Ando who rode Daiwa Major to third and a $500,000 prize money, said "I could easily hold the front and find his rhythm, but the pace was a little slow so Admire Moon has more speed than Daiwa Major ."

Lava Man, the king of California, who was attempting to prove his worth for the first time outside his den, limped in last among the 16 runners in the field.

'Disappointing'

"With about 3 1/2 furlongs left to run he said, 'I've had enough' and that is just not him. It is disappointing," said jockey Nakatani.

English Channel, who has been among the best grass horses in the US for two years, and was expected to run a big race also ran into trouble in the traffic and finished 12th.

"He didn't run at all. He never gave me any indication that he was going to run. He fell asleep in the gate," said John Velazquez, who rode English Channel.