In a thrilling finish to the $1,000,000 Gr2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by EMAAR at Meydan on Saturday, it was the Doug O’Neill trainee Two Rivers Over that enjoyed the last laugh.
The American raider knuckled down to chase a resolute Walk Of Stars on the rail and defending champion Isolate in the closing stages to provide a second winner for O’Neill in the mile event and a maiden winner on World Cup night for his pilot Edwin Maldonado.
Edwin Maldonado steers Two Rivers Down to a thrilling victory (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
There were no surprises in the early part of the race as Tadhg O’Shea, aboard Bhupat Seemar-trained Walk Of Stars, pressed forward to grab the fence.
Highly touted Saudi Crown was, surprisingly, kept three wide despite a good beginning with Isolate finding the overall lead comfortably albeit away from the plastic. The winner was nursed into a handy early spot in the vanguard just off the pace.
Rounding for home, a flat-footed Saudi Crown began to give way as the front two – eventual runner-up and third – began to put distance between themselves and the field. It was not until the last 100 metres that Two Rivers Over began diminishing the leaders’ advantage, eventually getting up to score by a cosy half length.
There was little involvement from the rest at the finish with Southern Artist staying on best to grab a distant fourth on the line, just ahead of Desert Wisdom.
“I am extremely happy about how it’s worked out for us and it’s amazing that we have won the Godolphin Mile in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” said Leandro Mora, who supervises trainer Doug O’Neill’s travelling challenge in the United Arab Emirates.
“I actually asked Edwin to stay closer to the pace but it did not work out that way. He knew he was in a little bit of trouble but the horse responded for him.”
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Maldonado has known plenty of injury ups and downs during his career in Southern California and produced a ride of rare quality here.
“He is not a horse that takes the kickback well so I was hoping he would be close in the run and he was,” said Maldonado. “When he came into the stretch I was confident I would get there because I had him in the clear, outside of kickback. He’s very genuine. He gave me everything.”
Co-owner Todd Cady was understandably emotional after welcoming Two Rivers Over back to the number one spot.
Cady said: “What an experience! We were happy to be a part of the occasion but we knew it would be hard to win with the likes of Saudi Crown and Isolate in the field. He was so tough and classy in the finish.
“What a job by Edwin [jockey, Maldonado] and Doug [O’Neill, trainer] and Leandro [Mora, assistant trainer]. We are so thrilled.”
Speaking from California, trainer Doug O’Neill said: “I am so proud of this horse. The owners are the ones who picked him out to claim. They have been super-patient and supportive. He’s a young four-year-old on the rise.”
