Soul Rush and Cristian Demuro broke the hearts of the global legion of Romantic Warrior fans as the Japanese challenger swooped late, leading in the very final stride of a pulsating $5 million Gr1 Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World at Meydan on Saturday.
Three years after the judge was unable to split Lord North and Panthalassa, a dead-heat looked an increasingly likely outcome as the judge studied fractions and pixels.
Eventually the number nine was called and Demuro punched the air as victory was confirmed.
Soul Rush (Cristian Demuro, green cap) and Romantic Warrior (James McDonald) go hammer and tongs to the wire (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Soul Rush is the epitome of the late-bloomer, having won his first Grade 1 in last season’s Mile Championship at the age of six.
Now trainer Yasutoshi Ikee has him in the form of his life, with this victory backing up an excellent second to Voyage Bubble in the Hong Kong Mile.
Romantic Warrior broke smartly and James McDonald then enjoyed the perfect draft in second behind Japanese pacesetter Meisho Tabaru.
The world’s richest racehorse was sent to win his race turning in but never secured a decisive break on his pursuers, while all the time the eye was drawn to Soul Rush as he worked his way through rivals before engaging top gear in the final 200 metres.
Romantic Warrior appeared to lift again as he felt the presence of his rival and diving at the line both horses were at full stretch.
As the pair returned to be unsaddled and the tension mounted, Ikee congratulated Demuro, while apprehension was etched on McDonald’s face.
Japanese-trained horses have now won five of the last ten runnings of the Turf, while Ikee, a frequent flyer with horses like Orfevre and Satono Diamond down the years, was recording his most important success outside Japan.
In behind Maljoom flew late to complete the places, having been a long last down the back.
Demuro said: “Last year, I was beaten by a nose (on Namur, second to Facteur Cheval). This year, I win by a nose. The luck was with me today. It’s as good a performance as he’s ever produced, he beat the best horse in the world today. He travelled well and he fought until the end. I’m so happy.
“Last year, I thought I had won until the last second. I just waited until the number went up. This year, I was more sure that I had won but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. It is a special win because we are now part of the Romantic Warrior story; he doesn’t lose many races, but today he found a good horse.
“Dubai World Cup night is the most special meeting. I’m very happy to come back here every year. I’m very lucky to get to ride some good horses every year and I’ve had some success here.”
Second placed Romantic Warrior’s jockey James McDonald said: “No, I didn’t know (if he’d held on). Close, wasn’t it? He’s had a long campaign.”
