The Dubai World Cup meeting celebrates its historic 25th anniversary on March 27, with six Group 1 races and three Group 2s, including one of the world's premier races, the $12 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Over the next three weeks, the Dubai Racing Club will pay tribute to each of the previous Dubai World Cup winners. Today, we rewind to 2005 when Roses In May won the Dubai World Cup.
The increase in quality at the second Dubai International Racing Carnival (now the Dubai World Cup Carnival) was no more evident than in the 10th running of the Dubai World Cup. Jack Sullivan (Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, Burj Nahaar), Yard-Arm (Al Fahidi Fort), and Chiquitin (Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3) had all progressed through the Carnival ranks to the Dubai World Cup. Meeting them was the usual strong contingent from America including the previous year's UAE Derby winner Lundy's Liability and Roses In May, whose only defeat during 2004 had come when second to Ghostzapper in the Breeders Cup Classic.
Dynever had proven to be one of America's leading race horses but would represent Saudi Arabia on World Cup night having being purchased by local interests after finishing second to King's Boy in the King's Cup over 3,400m (about 2 1/8 miles). King's Boy had returned for the third time while the Japanese presence was made up of the high-class dirt performer Adjudi Mitsuo.
It was Roses In May however that impressed all on his arrival and his work leading into the event justified favoritism. The starring, dominating role played by Roses In May belied what appeared, on paper, an evenly matched field. The almost black horse was allowed to settle in fifth place by his jockey John Velazquez, the horse enjoying the early speed set by Yard-Arm, Chiquitin and Elmustanser. Shortly before the home turn, Velazquez decided to take the race to his opponents and Roses In May launched his bid. Whilst clear turning for home, the 600m (three furlong) straight would not be something the horse was used to after the tight turning American tracks. The question was, would he hold on?
Chocktaw Nation was the first to issue a challenge, but Roses In May defied it and the long Nad Al Sheba straight proved a benefit rather than a hindrance as he asserted his superiority with every stride. Dynever came from near last to make up good ground to be second, however he was never a match for Roses In May, whose official margin was three lengths. Chocktaw Nation held on gamely for third while Jack Sullivan ran the race of his life in finishing fourth, just ahead of Congrats and Adjudi Mitsuo.
After the race, Roses In May's trainer – Dale Romans – described his confidence going into the event and explained the tactics of Velazquez in going earlier than usual: “I thought the only way we could get beaten was if we had some bad luck, I wanted to take the race to them, I knew he had the stamina and that no one else could catch him.”
Roses In May's retirement was announced shortly after his return to America, going on to assume stallion duties in Japan in 2006.
The post Flashback: Velazquez, Romans Win 2005 Dubai World Cup With Roses In May appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
