
Race 3 - Sodhexo Prestige Shergar Cup Sprint (12/08/06)
Second Victory For Moore As BGI Extend Lead
The Great Britain and Ireland team went further into the lead in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stakes with 79 points, compared to the Rest of the Worlds 46 points, when Come Out Fighting recorded a two-length victory over Did not We in the Sodhexo Prestige Shergar Cup Sprint. Jockey Ryan Moore was completing a 44/1 double, following the success of Dark Missile in the opener. Ryan confirmed the ground was just on the easy side of good out there. It was relaxed and she travelled well today. There was a good, even pace throughout the race.
Paul Blockley, the successful trainer, believes the ground has been wrong all year for a lot of our horses and we have been waiting for rain and he feels that Ascot have done a good job in watering the course.
Doug Whyte showed his brilliance in the saddle on second-placed Did not We but the pair were no match for the winner, Come Out Fighting, in the Sodexho Shergar Cup Sprint.
The South African never thought that he was going to get there but he ran real good and gave his best. The winner was too strong on the day. When asked if it had been the plan to hold up his teams horses in the race, Great Britain and Ireland team manager Jason Weaver said: Sort of! When they started the race a few of the ROW boys were a bit keen and with the ground having a bit of dig, I thought holding up the horses might be a bit of an advantage.
GBI has now taken a commanding 79-46 lead.
Weaver was over the moon with the results and will see if it keeps going - we can still get beat. He would love to win now and can we stop the competition now! Roger Charlton has got a slight concern about the ground for Dorothys Friend in the Carvill Shergar Cup Stayers.
Michael Roberts, team manager of the Rest of The World, bvelived at this point they were in deep trouble. He would be surprised if we can come back now - I thought this was the race in which we had a really good chance and the gap is getting bigger now. They have got three races to go but would pretty much need one-twos in every race and they are very strong in the stayers.

( Close window )