Brown Panther Pounces in Dubai Gold Cup
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Brown Panther overcame his wide draw soon after the start and kicked away to an impressive victory in the $1 million Al Tayer Motors Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-II) March 28 at Meydan
Drawn wide in post 14 in the 15-horse field, jockey Richard Kingscote deftly guided Andrew Black and Owen Promotions' Brown Panther into second, just in behind Mushreq, who set an honest pace in the marathon turf test. The winner took charge entering the stretch and shook clear to an easy 3 1/4-length win.
"He was really relaxed today and I soon got into a nice position," Kingscote said. "After that, he looked after me all the way round."
Time was 3:18.84 for 3,200 meters (about two miles) on a course rated as good. Star Empire was up for second, a short head in front of third-place finisher Ahzeemah.
"After 100 meters I was confident this could be our day, and really well done to Richard Kingscote," trainer Tom Dascombe said. "He kept telling me he was fit for the ride after his injury, and although I was a bit sceptical, he's proved his point, and how."
A 7-year-old son of Shirocco, bred and co-owned by former English soccer star Michael Owen, Brown Panther finish 11th in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park in his previous start but rebounded to an emphatic win Saturday. The Breeders' Cup followed his victory in the Irish St. Leger (Ire-I). With Saturday's triumph, his record improves to 11 wins from 26 career starts.
Owen, who owns Dascombe's stable, campaigns Brown Panther partnership with Andrew Black.
"All I do is sign the cheques," Owen said, crediting the win of Dascombe and his team. "There's a massive difference between horse racing, where I can't really have any influence, and football, where at least I could do something about what went on on the field."
Bred in Great Britain, Brown Panther was produced from the Unfuwain mare Treble Heights, a stakes winner who was group-placed in England and France.