Gloria de Campeao (far side)
©Feroz Khan
2010 - GLORIA DE CAMPEAO
Gloria De Campeao made it third time lucky in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday, March 27, winning narrowly in a thrilling finish to the US$10-million race at Meydan.
The seven-year-old Brazilian-bred horse's two previous appearances in the Dubai World Cup resulted in eighth behind Curlin in 2008 and second to Well Armed in the 2009 renewal.
Gloria De Campeao, owned by Stefan Friborg, has been a Dubai International Racing Carnival regular since 2008 and went into this year's Dubai World Cup in the form of his life, having posted an initial Group One victory at Singapore in May and winning the first thoroughbred Group race to be run at Meydan, Round One of Maktoum Challenge on January 28.
Adopting his usual front-running style in the Dubai World Cup, Gloria De Campeao dictated a sensible early pace before being driven clear of his 13 rivals approaching the final furlong.
He gamely repelled all challengers, prevailing in the closest finish ever seen in the Dubai World Cup, with just a nose and a short-head separating the first three home.
Winning trainer Pascal Bary paid tribute to Gloria De Campeao's will to win. "If he's alone after he's taken the lead and no one comes after him, it is so difficult to catch him. He wants to fight," proclaimed the French-based handler.
In such a thrilling finish, jockey Tiago Pereira was initially unsure whether he had gained the biggest victory of his career.
"I thought I had won but as we passed the post, I looked across and the second jockey was celebrating, so I thought I'd keep quiet and wait for the result.
"The horse settled in front and I dropped my hands 300 metres out and asked him to kick on. He was so brave and this is all just a dream."
While the connections of Gloria De Campeao were ecstatic, Kevin Shea, who thought he had partnered Lizard's Desire to get up on the line, was crestfallen when he realised that he had been beaten a nose.
"It's a very bitter pill to swallow, but I've got to swallow it," the South African pilot commented. "When I looked up it was just after the line and I was in front and I thought I'd got it. It's hard to take. The horse gave me everything but the winner got it soft up front."
Godolphin's Allybar came home third, a short-head behind Lizard's Desire, ending an almost perfect night for new trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni and Ahmed Ajtebi, who had earlier combined to win the G2 Godolphin Mile with Calming Influence.
Ahmed Ajtebi said afterwards:"I was unlucky with my draw. Allybar is a horse who does not like taking gaps. Last time out in the Maktoum Challenge, I went on the inside to the rail and got beat in fourth by one length.
"Tonight the same thing happened - a bad draw and I have to stay on the inside. I found a gap easily and he is a little bit soft-hearted. If he had taken the gap the minute I asked him, then I may have won."
The even nature of the new Tapeta surface was further highlighted with US turf champion Gio Ponti coming home fourth and Godolphin's other representative Mastery, successful in the final British Classic, the Group One St Leger, on turf in September, taking fifth for jockey Frankie Dettori and trainer Saeed bin Suroor.