Going Remote (12/1) Prevails in Thrilling Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic
In a close-fought finish, Going Remote emerged victorious in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic at the Curragh on Saturday. The Jessica Harrington-trained top-weight, making a return to better ground after disappointing on soft going last time out, provided jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev with his first victory at the prestigious Shergar Cup meeting.
Champagne Prince (9/1) finished as the runner-up under Rachel Venniker, helping the Rest of the World team secure more points, while Houstonn (9/1) came third for the Ladies team with Marie Velon in the saddle.
Murzabayev, who hails from Kazakhstan, expressed his delight at the win, saying:
“I had instructions on the horse. I see the same before, the horse is always lazy. Today, good jump, all the time second position, and of course he was fighting for the win.”
Co-owner Kevin Blessing praised the tough performance of Going Remote, noting that the decision to target the Shergar Cup had paid off after the horse’s recent run at Galway on softer ground.
Givemethebeatboys Bounces Back to Win FBD Hotels And Resorts Heritage Hotel Phoenix Sprint Stakes
Elsewhere on the Curragh card, Jessica Harrington’s sprinter Givemethebeatboys put his Royal Ascot disappointment behind him with a gutsy performance to take the Group Three FBD Hotels And Resorts Heritage Hotel Phoenix Sprint Stakes. The victory came as particularly meaningful for the Harrington yard, given the recent tragic events affecting the horse’s owners.
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington was thrilled with the win, stating that Givemethebeatboys will likely target next month’s Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock as his next objective after this confidence-boosting success.
Delacroix Breaks Maiden in Impressive Fashion
In the day’s other notable race, the beautifully-bred Delacroix, by Dubawi out of the outstanding mare Tepin, opened his account at the second time of asking for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The colt had finished a promising second on debut at Leopardstown and duly delivered on that promise with a comfortable victory under Ryan Moore.
O’Brien was pleased with the performance, suggesting Delacroix could develop into a promising middle-distance prospect, potentially with an eye on next year’s 2000 Guineas, for which he has been cut to 25/1 by some firms.
The powerful Aidan O’Brien-Ballydoyle operation also celebrated victory with Ides Of March in the Revamp Conservation And Restoration Irish EBF Maiden, with the trainer hinting the colt could be aimed at a Listed race back at the Curragh before potentially stepping up to Group company, potentially the Middle Park Stakes.
In the day’s juvenile fillies’ contest, it was Donnacha O’Brien’s Falling Snow who got the better of her father’s charge Ballet Slippers in an eye-catching display, earning quotes for next year’s Oaks.
🔗 Source