'Awesome' Curlin idles to victory

CURLIN reaffirmed his position as the highest rated horse in the world as he kicked dust in his opposition’s faces in the $6-million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday night.

The 2007 USA Horse of the Year idled clear in the straight and looked like he was having a Sunday afternoon hack as he sauntered home345 by 7.75 lengths. In the process he broke South African hope Asiatic Boy’s heart, but Mike de Kock’s four-year-old still rallied gamely to win the battle for the $1.2-million second prize by a neck from another USA raider, Well Armed.

Well Armed took an immediate lead from Asiatic Boy and Gloria De Campeao with Curlin happy to bid his time a few lengths off them in the early stages. The heat got turned up with 1000m to run as Asiatic Boy moved to Well Armed’s girth with Curlin making his move on the outside of the leading pair.

The three cornered neck and neck into the straight but it was already obvious that there was going to be only one result because Well Armed and Asiatic Boy had already been driven along, while Robby Aberado was sitting virtually motionless on the American. He toyed with his compatriot and the South African for a few strides before powering clear, still in second gear, and winning as he pleased.

The race was then on for second and Johnny Murtagh and Asiatic Boy narrowly won that battle with A.P. Arrow another 0.75 lengths further back in fourth place.

Murtagh said afterwards: "My horse has run a marvellous race and he fought and fought to get his second place. The winner is a monster."

De Kock’s other runner in the race, Lucky Find, never got into the fray and finished sixth, while Jalil completed the Godolphin whitewash by finishing only seventh, another 5.25 lengths behind.

Afterwards a delighted Robbie Albarado said: "It’s a great privilege for me to be on him. What a horse. I just show up and ride him and get the glory but everybody works so hard behind the scenes and he does it all on raceday. It’s easy when you ride a great horse like Curlin. He’s not even tired."

Winning trainer Steve Asmussen described the win as "awesome".

"He’s spoiled us with his consistency and brilliance. Pre-race the horse was in great shape and he stepped from the stalls and just spoiled us again. Since his Breeders’ Cup Classic win, he’s shown us that he can do things quicker and I think he’s proved that again tonight. For someone from a racing family to have the best horse in the world is really awesome. It’s a dream come true,"  Asmussen said.

Success in the Dubai World Cup took Curlin’s lifetime earnings to over $8.8 million.