250th Doncaster Cup |
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| Group 2, Doncaster 15:40 £100,000 added, 3yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1  |
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| Friday 9th September 2016 | |
1 Sheikhzayedroad 10/3
2 Quest For More 5/2F
3 St Michel 6/1
NR: Mizzou (IRE)
8 ran Distances: nse, 2¼l, 4l
TIME 3m 52.97s (slow by 2.97s)
Sheikhzayedroad came out on top in a thrilling renewal of the 250th Doncaster Cup. David Simcock's charge travelled in mid-division early on during the two and a quarter-mile Group Two contest as Quest For More led.
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However, under Martin Harley, Simcock's globetrotting seven-year-old travelled kindly into the race and, having engaged in a pulsating battle all the way to the line with Quest For More, he managed to collar the long-time leader right on the line to register a nose victory, bringing cheers from the crowd at Town Moor. Sir Mark Prescott's St Michel stayed on well to finish a further two and a quarter-lengths back in third.
A delighted Simcock said: "He has been a consistent horse all his life. He is a model of consistency, is very tough and is just an old warrior.
"We absolutely love him to bits at home. He only runs about six times a year now and he might run once more this year possibly in Canada or at Ascot.
"He will then do exactly the same next year where he'll run in Dubai then go to Royal Ascot and we'll follow the same routine. He enjoys it.
"We keep him fresh, he takes no training and is as slow as a hearse at home. He is very lovable and really special to the yard.
"These stayers are great. Everybody loves watching them, they are fun to watch and fun to train.
"Credit to the second horse [Quest For More] as well. They are great old warriors and have a bit of longevity about them."
The Newmarket trainer added: "This horse has grown up. He still has his little quirks. He hangs one and then the other way but this is a good day."
Mohammad Jaber, owner of the gelding, named the horse after a famous highway in Dubai and he said: "Well done to David and his team for keeping him fresh. He won well in Dubai in March and then he had a nice break before Royal Ascot when he finished third [beaten five and a quarter-lengths] and again after Goodwood [third, beaten one and a half-lengths] so today he was a fresh horse."
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Mohammad Jaber, commented: "This horse stays very well. He ran well in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He used to be very keen and wouldn't settle but now we put him in the race, he settles better as he has grown up.
"As a three-year-old he ran all over the track but David has trained him very well. He doesn't need real training but he is just such a good horse."
250th Doncaster Cup
(British Champions Series) (Group 2)
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
| Pos | Dr | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | (4) | Sheikhzayedroad 10/3 | M Harley 9-3 |
D M Simcock | 7 | |
| 2nd | (7) | nse | Quest For More (IRE) 5/2f | G Baker 9-3 |
R Charlton | 6 |
| 3rd | (8) | 2¼ | St Michel 6/1 | L Morris 8-3 |
Sir Mark Prescott | 3 |
| 4th | (3) | 4 | Burmese 14/1 | W Buick 9-3 |
M P Tregoning | 4 |
| 5th | (9) | 1½ | Sweet Selection 28/1 | P McDonald 9-0 |
H Morrison | 4 |
| 6th | (1) | 3¾ | Curbyourenthusiasm (IRE) 10/1 | J P Spencer 9-3 |
D M Simcock | 5 |
| 7th | (5) | nk | Clever Cookie 8/1 | D Tudhope 9-3 |
P D Niven | 8 |
| 8th | (6) | 21 | Clondaw Warrior (IRE) 5/1 | R L Moore 9-3 |
W P Mullins | 9 |
| NR | (2) | Mizzou (IRE) 9/4 | Non Runner 9-3 |
L M Cumani | 5 |
TOUGH FOR QUEST
Quest For More , who was sent of the 5/2 favourite for the Doncaster Cup, was touched off by a nose by Sheikhzayedroad.
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Looking the winner until the dying strides is hard to bear but the second-placed horse's trainer, Roger Charlton, was upbeat about his charge's performance after the race.
Charlton said of his Teofilo six-year-old's: "I am thrilled, he has run a fantastic race. If there was an excuse it is that there is a headwind, we were in it all the way, but I am proud of him.
"He has run a really good race but it is tough. George (Baker) gave him the perfect ride I thought, the right fractions and everything but to be done in the last two strides is always tough.
"It could be Ascot next (Champions Long Distance Cup, Oct 15) if the ground is suitable. If not, he could go for the Dubai Gold Cup (March 2017)."
Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of the third home, St Michel (6/1), said: "He ran as well as I hoped. Alleluia (2001) was about the same and she won it so he had every reason to be here.
"I will probably run him in the Cesarewitch if he gets in. He would have got in if he had won today but he might not now.
"Mr Pearce, who owns him is 97 so the more good days he can have the better."
RECENT WINNERS
Year Horse Trainer Jockey Owner SP
2015 Pallasator Sir Mark Prescott Andrea Atzeni Qatar Racing Limited 9/2 fav
2014 Estimate Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore The Queen 11/8 fav
2013 Times Up Ed Dunlop Ryan Moore Mrs I Stewart & M Meacock 3/1
2012 Times Up John Dunlop Eddie Ahern Mrs I Stewart & M Meacock 5/1
2011 Saddler’s Rock John Oxx IRE Niall McCullagh Michael O’Flynn 11/2
2010 Samuel John Gosden William Buick Normandie Stud Ltd 5/1
2009 Askar Tau Marcus Tregoning Ryan Moore Nurlan Bizakov 5/2
2008 Honolulu Aidan O’Brien IRE Johnny Murtagh Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor 15/8 fav
2007 Septimus Aidan O'Brien IRE Johnny Murtagh Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor 11/10 fav
2006 Sergeant Cecil Rod Millman Frankie Dettori Terry Cooper Evens fav
2005 Millenary John Dunlop Richard Quinn Neil Jones 11/4
2004 DH Kasthari Howard Johnson Johnny Murtagh Elliott Bros 14/1
DH Millenary John Dunlop Richard Quinn Neil Jones 7/1
2003 Persian Punch David Elsworth Martin Dwyer Jeff Smith 3/1
2002 Boreas Luca Cumani Jamie Spencer Aston House Stud 7/2
2001 Alleluia Sir Mark Prescott Jamie Mackay Sonia Rogers 14/1
2000 Enzeli John Oxx IRE Johnny Murtagh H H Aga Khan 15/2
1999 Far Cry Martin Pipe Kevin Darley Nicky Chambers 6/1
