Niconero Leads Home Australian Dubai Bid
 

Sunday, 29 March 2009

Ninconero did best of Australia’s two representatives when the veteran galloper claimed fourth place in the Group I Dubai Duty Free (1777m) at Nad El Sheba.

The David Hayes-trained seven-year-old finished stoutly after being held up in a ruck of horses chasing the runaway winner Gladiatorius.

Sydney mare Tuesday Joy came in ninth after racing at the tail of the field for most of the way.

Ninconero over-raced in the middle stages, giving jockey Craig Williams a difficult ride.

Gladiatorius, a 12/1 chance, gave jockey Ahmad Ajtebi his first Group I success in the $A7.07 million race.

Ajtebi rode camels and excelled at endurance racing before switching to the thoroughbred world.

United Kingdom galloper Previs (10/1) finished second with Alexandros (40/1) taking third.

Well Armed, meanwhile, improved from third last year to run out the easy winner of the Group I Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race.

Trained by Irish-born, America-based Eoin Harty and ridden by Aaron Gryder, Well Armed led from start to finish to ease home ahead of French runner Gloria de Campeao.