A De Royer-Dupré trained Vazirabad wins the 2018 Dubai Gold Cup for the third time in a row. He makes it a Hattrick. Owner HH Aga Khan will be very proud today. The Christophe Soumillon ridden horse was lagging really behind by half way but he picked up to win the race in an amazing fashion by a length.
“How the race was run was perfect for him,” De Royer Dupre said. “I always said that we never had him better than today. He was so relaxed and calm before the race and the pace was very strong. And the more pace, the better for him. They went as fast as if they were going over a mile (1600m) and that really helped my confidence. He nearly came too early. There is no doubt that this is his best ever performance, but as I said, I am not surprised, he was so well in the run-up to the race. When you come every year to Dubai, you learn what to do. It is very hot and you have to adapt to that. We will now target the Ascot Gold Cup in June.”
“He was making history and I hope there is more to come in future and that we can be back next year for even more,” Soumillon said. “He’s a good horse. He got beat on his first run here, but Alain knows how to get him fit and he has done a great job. All the wins have been different but to do it three times is history.”
D Simcock trained and Martin Harley ridden Sheikhzayedroad came in a fighting second. The trainer said “He's evergreen and he was fresh in the paddock today. I was just delighted with him. To finish second, it was a better position than we could ever have imagined. The winner was very good. He's an exceptional stayer (Vazirabad) who has come out here to win it three times. We're happy to finish second.”
C Appleby trained and William Buick ridden Rare Rhythm came in third. The trainer said “They have both run well and I am delighted, to be fair. James (Doyle) has gone a decent clip on Frontiersman and it has probably told over the last 200m. The winner is a good horse and Alain De Royer-Dupre knows how to get the job done! I thought Rare Rhythm got the trip well enough and hopefully that sets them both up for Cup races back in Europe this summer.”
By Apurva Chavan, Racing Writer, apurva.chavan@secretariatsworld.com