NEWS
Vengeance of Rain pours it on in Dubai Sheema Classic
Posted: Saturday, March 31, 2007 2:14 PM
VENGEANCE OF RAIN
Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins photo
by Mike Curry
Two-time Hong Kong champion stayer Vengeance of Rain streaked clear in the stretch and comfortably held off a late bid from Group 3 winner Oracle West to win the $5-million Nakheel Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) by 1 1/4 lengths on Saturday at Nad al Sheba.
A multiple Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, the seven-year-old Zabeel gelding entered the 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) Sheema Classic off a win in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HK-G1) on March 4 at Sha Tin.
Vengeance of Rain settled into fourth from the inside under jockey Anthony Delpach as Best Alibi set the pace and Quijano, a Group 3 winner who entered with ten wins in 11 career starts, tracked in second.
Vengeance of Rain challenged best Alibi and 2006 Vodafone Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winner Sir Percy for the lead with 400 meters remaining. Vengeance of Rain unleashed an explosive burst of speed and drove well clear.
Oracle West rallied determinedly but never seriously threatened Vengeance of Rain, who completed the trip in 2:31.03 on turf rated as good.
“That was fantastic taking on such good horses,” Delpach said. “We were confident after he traveled so well from Hong Kong. This is the biggest moment of my career.”
Oracle West finished a half-length ahead of third-place finisher Youmzain, who edged Sir Percy by a nose. Quijano faded to seventh in the 14-horse field.
Red Rocks (Ire), winner of the 2006 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), rallied from last to finish ninth under jockey Corey Nakatani.
“He was a little bit fresh but our goal today was to relax and make a run,” Nakatani said of Red Rocks. “He got a little tired, so no disgrace. He is going to move forward off this race. We will get them next time.”
Multiple Grade 1 winner Honey Ryder, ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Todd Pletcher, did not quicken in the stretch and finished 11th.
“I was out wide the whole time and didn’t have any coverage,” Gomez said. “She got bounced around a little bit. She is a filly against the boys and it took a toll on her.”
United States-based Host (Chi) and Obrigado (Fr) were 12th and 13th, respectively.
New Zealand-bred Vengeance of Rain improved to ten wins from 22 career starts and boosted his earnings to $7.9-million. He is out of Australian Group 1 winner Danelagh (Ire), by Danehill.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor
