racing news/

Hughes Gets it Right on Dubawi Gold
27/08/11

1 Dubawi Gold 3/1
2 Set The Trend 12/1
3 Beacon Lodge 5/1
7 ran Distances: ½l, ½l, 1¾l
TIME 1m 39.16s (slow by 2.56s)

Dubawi Gold swept through for a cheeky success in the Betfair Celebration Mile at Goodwood to replenish Richard Hannon's strength in the division.

Dubawi Gold
© Racehorse Photos

The miling squad is hardly threadbare at the Hannon stable with Strong Suit and Dick Turpin still on the scene, but the retirement through injury of Canford Cliffs is still keenly felt.

It did not feel like a terrific renewal of the Group Two race, and it looked booked for a surprise winner in Set The Trend with a furlong remaining until Richard Hughes dealt another of his typical hold-up flourishes.

Like Canford Cliffs, Dubawi Gold (3-1) had fallen victim to Frankel, when a distant second to the supreme colt in the 2000 Guineas, and Hannon felt Hughes's exaggerated waiting tactics had cost him a compensatory Classic victory in the Irish version.

He was disappointing on his comeback in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, but there was no need for Hannon to worry this time as the pair scampered past nearly every rival in the final furlong, keeping half a length up their sleeves.

Dubawi Gold became the fourth three-year-old in a row to claim the honours, while last year's winner and 15-8 favourite Poet's Voice was last of the seven, disgracing himself further by attempting to bite Beacon Lodge in the final stages.

Hannon said: "He ran too free at Newbury and didn't settle. I enjoyed that - it's what keeps you racing. He should really have won an Irish Guineas, and he ran a hell of a race in the English.

"I suppose we might look at the QEII (Ascot), but he'll probably go for the Prix du Moulin for his next race."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Dubawi Gold R Hannon	R Hughes 8st 9lbs	3 - 1 Winner
2	Set The Trend A M Balding	J Fortune 9st 1lbs	12 - 1 1/2 length
3	Beacon Lodge C G Cox	A Kirby 9st 1lbs	5 - 1 1/2 length
4	Emerald Commander S bin Suroor	William Buick 9st 1lbs	5 - 1 1 3/4 length
5	Premio Loco C F Wall	G Baker 9st 1lbs	10 - 1 2 1/4 lengths
6	Riggins Ed Walker	Hayley Turner 9st 1lbs	50 - 1 1 1/4 length
7	Poet's Voice S bin Suroor	L Dettori 9st 1lbs	15 - 8 Short Head