After an injury plagued season and some indifferent performances following his second place in last year’s Dubai World Cup, California Chrome was super-impressive when going one better in Saturday’s $10 million showpiece. The big chestnut raced wide the whole way with a slipped saddle and was still able to carve out a track record in beating a game Mubtaahij.

Jumping from a wide draw, as jockey Victor Espinoza gunned him out of the gate for position his saddle slipped. Espinoza did manage to make it close to the lead but raced wide the whole way.

California Chrome (Liesl King)

Speaking post-race Espinoza said; “Basically, the girth is slipped all the way back and I was really trying not to move my body, just to sit there still and lean forward a little bit because if I move a little back, I might go out of balance and that would not be pretty,” said Espinoza. “I was not really concerned about it. I was just looking forward, ‘Where’s the wire?'”

Trainer Art Sherman said he wasn’t aware how serious the situation was until Espinoza pulled up after winning the race. “And I said, ‘Well, that thing is back in the rumble seat.’

Despite all the obstacles, California Chrome shot clear down the home straight and drew off to win by nearly four lengths in track-record. Mubtaahij was second and Hoppertunity finished third.

Commenting on his website Mike de Kock was generous in his praise of California Chrome.  “I tell you, we were beaten by some racehorse.  California Chrome had to race wide throughout and his saddle slipped in the race, but look at the convincing way he won.  We’ll happily take our second to the best dirt horse in the world. We are over the moon!” he enthused.

De Kock, who had told the media and Mubtaahij’s supporters to expect his best on World Cup night, was vindicated. “I couldn’t have the Super Saturday results.  Mubtaahij reversed the form of the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 with Special Fighter and Gun Pit.

“Christophe and I discussed the Dubai World Cup at length this week and we envisaged what would happen. We were keen to lead the race, to make the pace if we had to. As it happened he jumped well, found a dream passage on the fence and settled in the running. Mubtaahij stays very well and he fought all the way for a well-deserved second. We are massively proud of Mubtaahij tonight,” said De Kock.

There are no immediate plans for Mubtaahij although the form of this renewal of the Dubai World Cup is likely to carry much merit.

By Andrew Harrison