Opinion Poll downs the Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors at Meydan on 31st March, 2012
The Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors at Meydan on 31st March, 2012 did not go as smoothly as it was expected. The race had moments of joy and moments of poignancy.
The race was rescheduled because Fox Hunt, owned by Godolphin and trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, sustained an injury during the race and had to be euthanised.
Fox Hunt, the son of Dubawi, out of Kiltubber, was expected to excel in this race but fate was not on his side.
The jockeys were instructed to pull up their runners as Fox Hunt’s injury had to be tended to. Because of his condition, he could not be moved and was attended to in the centre of the track.
In the rerun, Opinion Poll, son of Halling, out of mare Ahead, raced as a favourite with odds of 10 to 11 under rider Frankie Dettori.
Trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni for owner Godolphin, he bolted through the race, taking the early lead by 2 furlongs.
Under Dettori’s guidance, Opinion Poll, the six-year-old horse, had a smooth start and retained steady his composure.
It was a narrow victory for Opinion Poll as Joshua Tree, son of Montjeu, out of Madeira Mist, finished a mere ¾ of a length behind him.
Trained by Marco Botti, he ridden by J. Murtagh. He gained speed with 1 ½ furlong remaining to finish close to the winner, Opinion Poll.
M.F. De Kock’s Zanzamar was saddled by Richard Hills yesterday.
He settled in the rear and brought his swift pace when 3 ½ furlongs remained.
He missed the finish as a runner-up by a short-head to Joshua Tree.
Zanzamar made late progress in the field and made up for lost time. Despite his best efforts, he could not catch up with winner.
Grand Vent was also pulled up from the event by jockey Mickael Barzalona during the rescheduled race.
Under Barzalona’s control, he tracked the leaders and was likely to claim a solid finish but was taken out from the race, with five furlongs remaining.
Bronze Cannon, owned by Chechen president, Ramzan Kadyrov, and trained by H. J. Brown, had to be put down after a fatal injury to his leg.
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