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Dolniya heads to the winner's enclosure after the Sheema Classic

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2015 Dubai Sheema Classic and Gold Cup Results

Date: 03/28/2015

The $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) is the last of four scheduled turf races held on Dubai World Cup night. A field of 9 older horses went 2410 meters (about 1 1/2 miles), one complete circuit of the turf oval at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner Main Sequence was sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the world pool. In to challenge him included 11-4 second choice Harp Star, winless since the Sapporo Kinen (G2) back in August, and 3-1 third choice Flintshire, winner of the Hong Kong Vase (G1).

The horses break from the gate for the Sheema Classic

Jockey Andrea Azteni sent 28-1 Just the Judge to the front and he set easy fractions of 26.78, 52.15, 1:16.74, and 1:40.77 while stalked by 7-1 Dolniya and 16-1 One and Only. Entering the stretch, Just the Judge got 1 1/4 mile in 2:04.50 but was tiring, as Dolniya swept to the lead. Kept to task by Chistophe Soumillon, he drew away to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Flintshire in 2:28.29 over the turf rated "good". It was another 2 lengths back to One and Only third, while Main Sequence was 7th.

Results Chart for the race from Emirates Racing Authority which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:

8th RACE MEYDAN - DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (Group 1) 2 Dolniya $19.80 $5.00 - 4 Flintshire - $2.20 - 6 One And Only - $20.80 - Running time - 2:28:29 $1.00 EXACTA 2-4 $28.10 $1.00 TRIFECTA 2-4-6 $388.70 $1.00 SUPERFECTA 2-4-6-7 $1,966.70

horse racinghorse racingLeft: Dolniya in the winner's enclosure. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said, "She improved throughout her three-year-old career and again from three to four. It is not a surprise as she was in very good condition, but it was very difficult to go against Flintshire because he is older and he knows her well. We had a good trip. She has a long action and she stayed ahead and alert. We know she is a bright filly, she’s a beautiful pedigree from the Aga Khan family of Dalakhani, she has speed and she can stay. When she has a good race, she needs pace. She was in a good position and I was confident."

Right: The connections pose with Dolniya in the winner's enclosure.

horse racinghorse racingLeft: Dolniya heads to the starting gate before the race.. Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon said, "She was in very good form. The pace suited us. I was a bit scared before the race that the pace would be slow, so I came out of the gates fast in case I needed to make the running. But finally the pace was good and it helped a lot, because every time in France there is no pace and she has a long acceleration."

Right: Dolniya with his winner's blanket.

horse racinghorse racingLeft: Second place finisher Flintshire behind the starting gate. Jockey Maxime Guyon said, "I was just behind the leaders and coming into the straight I was able to follow the winner. He ran really well in the straight, but unfortunately he could never catch the winner. He met a really good filly."

Right: Third place finisher One And Only heads out to the track before the race. Jockey Cristian DeMuro said, "He ran very good. A little more distance would be better."

horse racing
Seventh place finisher and beaten favorite Main Sequence heads out to the track before the race. Jockey Rajiv Maragh said, "A little disappointing because he didn’t come with his usual run. I was really happy that he put me up there really easily and I felt like I was in position coming off the turn to make a good run but unfortunately it just didn’t pan out today."



Brown Panther leads down the stretch

The $1 million Dubai Gold Cup (G2) is the longest race on World Cup night, contested at 3200 meters (about 2 miles) on the turf. Irish St. Leger (G1) winner Brown Panther was sent off as the 4-1 favorite in the field of 15 after finishing 11th in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), over 6-1 Bathyron, second in the Prix du Cadran (G1), and 13-2 Almoonqith, winner of the Nad al Sheba Trophy (G3).

Jockey Dane O'Neill sent 40-1 Mushreq to the lead and he set fractions of 51.08, 1:40.54, and 2:29.86 over the good course while stalked by Brown Panther. On the far turn Brown Panther swept to the lead and drew off to win by 3 1/4 lengths over late-running 20-1 Star Empire in 3:18.84. It was a head back to 9-1 Ahzeemah third.

Results Chart for the race from Emirates Racing Authority which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:

horse racing3RD RACE Meydan Racecourse - DUBAI GOLD CUP (Group 2) 
14  Brown Panther              $6.30    $3.50     -
 6  Star Empire                  -      $7.30     -
15  Ahzeemah                     -      $8.90     -

Running time -  3:18:84

$2.00 EXACTA 14-6               $139.90
$1.00 TRIFECTA 14-6-15          $887.20
$1.00 SUPERFECTA 14-6-15-10   $7,158.90

horse racinghorse racingLeft: Brown Panther in the winner's enclosure. Winning trainer Tom Dascombe said, “After 100m I was confident this could be our day, and really well done to Richard Kingscote. 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."

Right: Brown Panther returns after the race. Jockey Richard Kingscote said, “He felt great during the race and we got an early tow into it and we had a nice position. This horse has been unbelievably good to my career and to Tom’s. He means a lot to me and this is the biggest win of my career so far."

horse racinghorse racingLeft: Second place finisher Star Empire heads out for the post parade. Jockey Christophe Soumillon said, "I rode him like usual and when he started passing horses in the straight I thought he might be third or fourth. But the pace was quite good and my horse has real stamina. He finished lame last time so it was great to see him bounce back."

Right: Third place finisher Ahzeemah returns after the race. Jockey James Doyle said, "It sounds silly but we were drawn wide in 15 and it took time to get across, but we did get over and get a nice position. We had a lovely trip around and he is a tough horse, it is just a shame we didn't keep second. I have no complaints and the winner looks a very good horse."

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