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[It's
FALBRAV in a fantastic finale] FALBRAV left no
doubt that he is and has been the best 2000 metre horse
in the world by simply annihilating the field for the
Group One Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin today(14December,
2003).
He left Rakti, himself an impressive
winner of the Group One Champion Stakes in October,
floundering in his wake as he quickened two lengths
clear at the line. He will now retire to stud in Japan
as a true champion with eight Group One victories to
his name.
Frankie Dettori was always
travelling comfortably on the powerful horse by Fairy
King in the midfield and made his move on the outside
as they approached the straight. Dettori switched Falbrav
to the inside once straightening up for home the horse
instantly showed a tremendous burst of speed to fly
past the field.
Dettori said: "I was 100%
confident even when we were so far back. When I pressed
the button, he exploded. I nearly peed myself! It took
my breath away, the way he quickened."
"Without a doubt he is
the best 2000-metre horse in the world. He is up there
with the very best I have ridden. His performance was
electric today."
Cumani agreed with his jockey.
"He won this like he is the best horse in the world
and I am so pleased that he goes out on a winning note.
This is one of the very best moments for me, to travel
the horse so far and have him in top class form is fantastic."
Michael Jarvis, whose
horse was a gallant second but well clear of the rest,
said: "He just missed the break and there was a
lot of traffic in front. He and the winner went for
the same gap and got a little bump but there were no
excuses. We will try to come back next year."
INTRODUCTION
World's Richest 2000M Turf Race The Hong Kong
Cup was initially run as the Hong Kong Invitation Cup
in January 1988 when the overseas entries were confined
to Malaysia and Singapore. The race was granted Group
3 status in 1993, Group 2 in 1994, and it became the
first race in Hong Kong with full international Group
1 ranking in 1999 - when it also became the final leg
of the Emirates World Series. The Cup's distance was
increased to 2000m from 1800m in 1999. The Hong Kong
Cup has now become the richest race in the world over
2000m at HK$18 million (approx. US$2.3 million, GB¢G1.56
million, Aus$4.5 million).
Completing the greatest day
in the history of Hong Kong racing, Precision drove
to an upset victory Sunday in the 16th running of the
HK$18-million Hong Kong Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse
last year. Benefiting from a brilliant ride by Mick
Kinane, the four-year-old gelding by Anabaa prevailed
by a short head over Germany's representative, Paolini.
Precision thus became the third Hong Kong-based runner
to emerge victorious in the 2002
Hong Kong International Races.
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