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 Jockey Pat Cosgrave and Gifts of Gold head to the winner's enclosure after the Red Sea Turf Handicap.
Red Sea Turf Hcp. results Saudi Arabian Airlines Riyadh Dirt Sprint & stc 1351 Turf Sprint results Saudi Derby results Obaiya Arabian Classic, Neom Turf Cup, and Jockey Club Local Hcp. results |
The $2.5 million Red Sea Turf Handicap is a 3000-meter (about 1 7/8 mile) trip around three turns of the turf course at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. Defending champion Call the Wind was sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the field of 13, unraced since 3rd in the Prix du Cadran (G1) after winning the Prix Kergolay (G2). In to challenge him included 3-1 second choice Spanish Mission, 7th in the British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2) after winning the Doncaster Cup (G2), and 4-1 third choice Prince of Arran, 3rd in the Melbourne Cup (G1) but a close third in allowance company at Kempton last out.
 Gifts of Gold leads down the stretch |
Jockey Olivier Peslier sent Call the Wind to the front and he set the pace around all 3 turns while pressed by 10-1 Mildenberger and stalked by 37-1 Mirinaque and 45-1 Gifts of Gold. On the third and last turn, Call the Wind tired badly allowing Making Miracles to inherit the lead. Making Miracles tired at the 3/16 pole as Gifts of Gold swept to the front. Confidently handled by Pat Cosgrave, Gifts of Gold drew off late to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Spanish Mission in 3:14.24. It was a neck back to late-running 9-2 fourth choice Secret Advisor third, while favorite Call the Wind checked in 11th beaten 14 3/4 lengths.
Results Chart for the race from Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:
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Left: Gifts of Gold heads to the winner's enclosure. Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "This was the plan since January when racing started in Dubai. I thought he would be the perfect horse. He's a big strong horse and he ran well. The pace of the race wasn't that fast and that suited him and he finished the race off really well."
Right: Gifts of Gold heads back to the barn after the race in his new winner's blanket. Bin Suroor added, "Pat is a good jockey and he has won big races for us in Australia, England and Germany. We're happy. We will take him back to Dubai and maybe he will go for the Gold Cup. I'm sure he will improve some more."
Left: Gifts of Gold in the walking ring. Winning jockey Pat Cosgrave said, "That was great. Hopefully we're not finished yet! He was 110 there in a handicap so you have to think he's a horse for the Melbourne Cup maybe next year. He relaxes good and he has that turn of foot which is perfect for Melbourne."
Right: Gifts of Gold warms up before the race.
Left: Second place finisher Spanish Mission returns after the race. Jockey Ryan Moore said, "He ran a nice race, you must be happy with that first run of the year. He has won a big one in the past already. The ground is a bit loose now."
Right: Third place finisher Secret Advisor in the walking ring. Trainer Charlie Appleby said, "That was a pleasing run. Will (Buick, jockey) said he got a lovely pitch round there. He's a solid campaigner at that trip, and the winner is a good horse on his day, as we know. Great for Saeed, Team Godolphin and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed again."
Saudi Cup Links:
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