Dubai Turf: Soul Rush upsets Romantic Warrior in tight photo finish
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In his first start away from the Far East, the Japanese 7-year-old Soul Rush caught the heavily favored Romantic Warrior in the last stride to win the Group 1 Dubai Turf at 1 1/8 miles at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday.
Romantic Warrior, the 1-5 favorite in American pools and widely recognized as one of the world’s finest runners, appeared on his way to win before Soul Rush closed ground steadily through the final sixteenth to win the $5 million Dubai Turf by a nose.
Soul Rush paid $28.40. With the win, Soul Rush earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
The result was so close that officials needed approximately five minutes to determine the photo finish.
Ridden by Cristian Demuro, Soul Rush was fifth or sixth for much of the race, behind longshot pacesetter Meisho Taburo. Romantic Warrior was well-positioned in third and then second before taking the lead with slightly less than a quarter-mile remaining.
Soul Rush trailed Romantic Warrior with a furlong remaining and rallied outside of that rival to claim victory.
“It’s as good a performance as he’s ever produced,” Demuro told Meydan publicity. “He beat the best horse in the world today. He traveled well and he fought until the end.”
Maljoom finished third at 49-1.
The second-place finish was a tough result for Romantic Warrior, the Horse of the Year in Hong Kong for the 2023-2024 season. Romantic Warrior won the Group 1 Jebel Hatta Stakes on turf at Meydan in January before losing the $20 million Saudi Cup by a neck to Forever Young in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 22. Forever Young finished third in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan.
Soul Rush, by Rulership, has won 9 of 25 starts in a career that began in December 2020. The Dubai Turf was his fifth win in a group or graded stakes. Last November, Soul Rush won the Grade 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan.
Trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, Soul Rush was second in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile in December, his second trip outside of Japan. Soul Rush was fourth in the 2023 Hong Kong Mile.
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