Vazirabad Flies to Dubai Gold Cup Win
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Photo: Dubai Racing Club
Vazirabad fights off Big Orange to win the Dubai Gold Cup.
The Aga Khan's Vazirabad flew past rivals in the stretch and caught front-runner Big Orange to win the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-II) Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors March 26 at Meydan.
A 4-year-old homebred son of Manduro ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Vazirabad lost several steps after a poor start. Relaxed at the back of he field, he was full of run when asked and collared Big Orange 100 meters out to win by a neck for a sixth consecutive triumph.
The 3-5 favorite in U.S. pools, Vazirabad covered 3,200 meters (about two miles) on good turf in 3:19.56 while making his first start in since taking the Prix Royal Oak (Fr-I, French St. Leger) Oct. 25 at Longchamp.
"He hasn't had a prep race so I asked Christophe to respect the horse," Royer-Dupre said. "He isn't very quick at the start but he has a turn of foot."
Certerach set the early tempo to the head of the stretch as Big Orange stalked from second. Big Orange soon took charge but could not withstand the rally of Vazirabad. Haafaguinea was third.
Bred in France from the Linamix mare Visorama, Vazirabad has six wins and a second from eight career starts for Alain de Royer-Dupre.