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Magnificent Goldikova wins back-to-back Miles
By LEE MOTTERSHEAD AT SANTA ANITA9.36PM 7 NOV 2009
Report: USA, Saturday
Santa Anita: TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (Grade 1) 1m, turf
TWENTY-ONE years on from Miesque's successful defence of her Breeders' Cup Mile crown, the magnificent Goldikova assured Freddie Head a singular place in racing history when completing back-to-back victories in the Santa Anitashowpiece.
RELATED LINKS
Back in 1988, under Head the jockey, Miesque confirmed her place among the all-time greats when surging to success at Churchill Downs. Now, Goldikova can be spoken of in the same glowing terms after unleashing her trademark turn of foot to leave Grade 1 championship rivals in her wake.
And, in news that will delight all fans of the sport, there is more than a chance that the Wertheimer brothers will allow Goldikova to bid for an unprecedented third Breeders' Cup win in 12 months time. William Hill quote her at 5-1 to achieve that goal.
Yet this was not a victory sealed without moments of worry, for Goldikova, from her widest-of-all stall 11 draw, was last but one setting out on the final circuit and still had considerable ground to make up taking the turn for home.
Even when she had the winning post and a place in history within her grasp, she had to be steered by rider Olivier Peslier around the veering Courageous Cat, but nothing was going to stop France's utterly fantastic filly, whocame home in front of that American rival with Godolphin's stateside performer Justenuffhumor back in third.
"She is a very special," said an emotional Head. "She was a little far back but the pace was strong. I was confident she would win when she came with her run into the stretch. It looked like she stopped a little, but Olivier smacked her 200 yards out for her last burst.
Freddie Head: "she's very special"
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com
"The only difference this year was that she didn't run up to her best last time, but she had excuses. I knew she was in very good condition.
"I don't have the words to say what I feel. Having ridden a horse like Miesque and now trained a horse like Goldikova, it's something you can't dream about."
Peslier said: "For me she's a wonderful filly and it was a wonderful race.
"The draw wasn't a big help and I didn't want to make a run until the last turn. I came wide because that was the only place to go. She is lovely and I'm so glad for my owners that they have a filly like this."
Runner-up Courageous Cat "ran his eyeballs out" according to jockey Garrett Gomez, who added: "He gave me 120 per cent. He is still real young - only a three-year-old - and is lightly raced. He kept digging, but the filly was just too good."
She was also too good for all the other Europeans, of which Delegator did best in fifth. Godolphin stablemate Gladiatorus set a fierce gallop before fading into ninth, and that gallop did not help Delegator in the opinion of Frankie Dettori, who said: "It was a suicidal pace and my fellow just ran out of stamina."
Another disappointment was Zacinto, who finished last after being taken out of the race by Ryan Moore.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute said: "Ryan wasn't happy with him. He looked very awkward coming around the corner and he decided to pull him up."
Moore added: "I was afraid he might have hurt himself. He took a bad step or something like that and I was concerned, but it turns out he's fine. He is okay."
As is Goldikova. She is very okay. For her adoring trainer, she is one of two in a million
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By LEE MOTTERSHEAD AT SANTA ANITA9.36PM 7 NOV 2009
Report: USA, Saturday
Santa Anita: TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (Grade 1) 1m, turf
TWENTY-ONE years on from Miesque's successful defence of her Breeders' Cup Mile crown, the magnificent Goldikova assured Freddie Head a singular place in racing history when completing back-to-back victories in the Santa Anitashowpiece.
RELATED LINKS
Back in 1988, under Head the jockey, Miesque confirmed her place among the all-time greats when surging to success at Churchill Downs. Now, Goldikova can be spoken of in the same glowing terms after unleashing her trademark turn of foot to leave Grade 1 championship rivals in her wake.
And, in news that will delight all fans of the sport, there is more than a chance that the Wertheimer brothers will allow Goldikova to bid for an unprecedented third Breeders' Cup win in 12 months time. William Hill quote her at 5-1 to achieve that goal.
Yet this was not a victory sealed without moments of worry, for Goldikova, from her widest-of-all stall 11 draw, was last but one setting out on the final circuit and still had considerable ground to make up taking the turn for home.
Even when she had the winning post and a place in history within her grasp, she had to be steered by rider Olivier Peslier around the veering Courageous Cat, but nothing was going to stop France's utterly fantastic filly, whocame home in front of that American rival with Godolphin's stateside performer Justenuffhumor back in third.
"She is a very special," said an emotional Head. "She was a little far back but the pace was strong. I was confident she would win when she came with her run into the stretch. It looked like she stopped a little, but Olivier smacked her 200 yards out for her last burst.
Freddie Head: "she's very special"PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com
"The only difference this year was that she didn't run up to her best last time, but she had excuses. I knew she was in very good condition.
"I don't have the words to say what I feel. Having ridden a horse like Miesque and now trained a horse like Goldikova, it's something you can't dream about."
Peslier said: "For me she's a wonderful filly and it was a wonderful race.
"The draw wasn't a big help and I didn't want to make a run until the last turn. I came wide because that was the only place to go. She is lovely and I'm so glad for my owners that they have a filly like this."
Runner-up Courageous Cat "ran his eyeballs out" according to jockey Garrett Gomez, who added: "He gave me 120 per cent. He is still real young - only a three-year-old - and is lightly raced. He kept digging, but the filly was just too good."
She was also too good for all the other Europeans, of which Delegator did best in fifth. Godolphin stablemate Gladiatorus set a fierce gallop before fading into ninth, and that gallop did not help Delegator in the opinion of Frankie Dettori, who said: "It was a suicidal pace and my fellow just ran out of stamina."
Another disappointment was Zacinto, who finished last after being taken out of the race by Ryan Moore.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute said: "Ryan wasn't happy with him. He looked very awkward coming around the corner and he decided to pull him up."
Moore added: "I was afraid he might have hurt himself. He took a bad step or something like that and I was concerned, but it turns out he's fine. He is okay."
As is Goldikova. She is very okay. For her adoring trainer, she is one of two in a million
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