Cross Counter Secures First Dubai Gold Cup for Appleby

Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) hero Cross Counter produced a powerful, sustained run to overhaul stablemate Ispolini and win the Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (G2) March 30 at Meydan, bolstering the impression he is a rising and serious force in the stayers' division.

This was Cross Counter's first start since giving Godolphin a much-coveted Melbourne Cup victory in November, and the 1 1/4-length success proved in convincing fashion that the long journey to Australia last year had in no way diminished his powers.

Winning trainer Charlie Appleby said: "It was a tough ask to go to Australia as a 3-year-old and win the Melbourne Cup—it's always in the back of your mind whether it took a bit out of him—and this was our first opportunity to run him since then. He's answered all the questions we needed to know."

The verdict appeared in some doubt when in-form stablemate Ispolini, a 10 1/2-length winner last time, struck the front after securing a dream run up the inside, but 7-4 favorite Cross Counter dug deep under William Buick and was decisively on top at the line.

Appleby added: "Brett (Doyle) gave Ispolini a lovely ride and gave himself every chance of winning, but he's lost nothing in defeat to Cross Counter, who has a very bright future in front of him."

Buick had the chance to ride Ispolini but said he was never going to miss out on partnering with Cross Counter, who has now firmly established himself as a globetrotting giant and earned more than £3.5 million through his international exploits.

The jockey said: "I was always going to choose Cross Counter over Ispolini, and it is great he has come out and won on his return.

"Cross Counter is a special horse for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin. It is a great effort when you consider he has been off since the Melbourne Cup."

In a race in which the market principals dominated, Call The Wind, the third choice in the betting at 3-1, finished in third place.

Trainer Freddy Head said: "They didn't go very quick at the beginning, and when they quickened, he was a bit outpaced and couldn't go with them. He finished well though.

"He is still young—he hasn't raced a lot. He probably would have preferred a better pace. He is still learning."

Appleby nominated the Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot as a potential target for Cross Counter, setting up the prospect of a mouthwatering clash with Stradivarius, the undoubted king of the stayers' division having landed the £1 million bonus last year.

Cross Counter will scoop the pot this year if he wins the Gold Cup, Qatar Goodwood Cup (G1), and Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (G2). The Dubai Gold Cup was one of eight qualifying legs.