Postponed Wins Sheema Classic in Record Time
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Photo: Dubai Racing Club/Mathea Kelley
Postposted dominates the Dubai Sheema.
Postposted scored a comfortable two-length triumph in course record time from hard-charging Duramente in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic Presented By Longines (UAE-I) March 26 at Meydan.
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Postponed lurked just off the early pace set by Highland Reel and grabbed the lead in the stretch. Ridden by Andrea Atzeni, he completed 2,410 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) in course record time of 2:26.97 on turf rated good for a fourth consecutive victory.
Japanese champion Duramente, who ran with only one front shoe after losing his right front before the start, gallantly pursued but had to settle for second. Last Impact, also based in Japan, finished third, 1 1/2 lengths back, after racing near the back of the field.
Postponed was the even-money favorite in U.S. pools. He won his prep for the Dubai Sheema Classic, the Dubai City of Gold (UAE-II), by three lengths March 5 at Meydan in his season's bow and first start for trainer Roger Varian.
He capped last year with a victory in the Qatar Prix Foy (Fr-II) Sept. 13 at Longchamp after getting his first top-level triumph in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-I) in July at Ascot for previous trainer Luca Cumani.
Bred in Ireland by St Albans Bloodstock, Postponed is a 5-year-old by Dubawi out of the Dubai Destination mare Ever Rigg. His record improved to 7-2-4 from 15 career starts.
Duramente was a dual classic winner in his homeland last year, and jockey Mirco Demuro said: "It was very unfortunate he ripped a shoe off before the race and they could not replace it.
"He wasn't comfortable on the ground with just three shoes, but still ran really well and was beaten by an excellent horse."