Dubai Gold Cup: Certerach keeps win after Bin Suroor withdraws objection
[bc_video_id:319782:]Certerach won the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse in a race that had as much drama after it had ended as it did during the running.
Certerach, under Jamie Spencer, was leading in the homestretch of the two-mile Gold Cup when he lugged toward the inside rail, crossing in front of several chasing rivals. Among them was Godolphin’s favored Cavalryman, who had to switch out for running room, came charging at Certerach, and missed catching him by a neck.
Jockey Silvestre de Sousa lodged a jockey’s objection. He and Spencer were led to the steward’s room for an inquiry, which had hardly begun when Cavalryman’s trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, joined the proceedings and announced the objection had been withdrawn. Certerach’s number stayed up, giving him by far his best win in his 19th start.
Certerach, a 6-year-old Irish gelding by Halling, had wintered in Dubai and run well in three starts, scoring a win and twice finishing third, but he had been beaten seven lengths by defending Gold Cup champion Cavalryman in the March 1 prep for Saturday’s race, and was trying a distance longer than 1 3/4 miles for the first time in the Gold Cup. He rallied from the rear of the field Saturday, coming into contention a little more than a quarter-mile from home and successfully seeing out the longest trip of his life.
Certerach paid $62.20 to win in North American wagering. Star Empire finished third.