December 8, 1999. Copyright, 1999, Graphic News. All rights reserved

WORLD SERIES ROUND-UP
By Midge Todhunter

LONDON, December 8, Graphic News:  ALMUTAWAKEL STORMED to victory under the desert heat of Dubai back in March, to kick off a historic first victory in the Emirates-sponsored World Racing Series to be staged across the globe. Run over a mile and a quarter of the Nad al Sheba sand track, the Dubai World Cup has rapidly gained a place among the worldÕs top races and is now recognized as the race for champions who have established their reputation the previous season.

Daylami accelerated away from his opposition in awesome style to land the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, the second race in the World Series, over a mile and a half at Ascot on Saturday July 24. Partnered by the charismatic Frankie Dettori, Daylami faced seven rivals which included the 1998 St. Leger winner Nedawi, the 1999 Epsom Derby winner Oath and the runner-up Daliapour, Hardwicke Stakes hero Fruits of Love and 1997 St. Leger winner Silver Patriarch. It was GodolphinÕs third consecutive win in this race, with Swain landing the race in 1997 and 1998.

It was Daylami again in the third leg of the series who stormed to a nine lengths victory in the Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 11. As Daylami entered the final two furlongs he went clear of the field crossing the line with his jockey Frankie Dettori celebrating in true style. Sheikh Mohammed, who leads the Godolphin operation, said ÒI am absolutely delighted. A couple of months ago I said he would be another Swain. Today I think he proved me right. He is the best horse in Europe.Ó

Thornfield, trained in Canada by Phil England, won the fourth leg, the $1,560,000 Canadian International at Woodbine Racecourse on October 17. Partnered by Richard dos Ramos, Thornfield was always well placed in the race, while Fruits of Love, trained in Britain by Mark Johnston, came from behind to take second place under jockey Kieran Fallon.

AustraliaÕs Cox Plate made up the fifth leg of the series at Mooney Valley on October 23 and was won by the New Zealand horse, Sunline. The four-year-old filly made all to land the race by a length and a half from locally-trained Tie the Knot. RedouteÕs Choice, the 7/2 favourite finished a disappointing fifth in the 2,040m Group One turf race.

Under an inspired ride by Frankie Dettori, Daylami won his third race in the World Series, the BreederÕs Cup Turf, over a mile and a half at Gulfstream Park, Florida on November 6, his victory securing the inaugural World Series. Dettori had been dramatically beaten in the same race a year before when his horse, Swain, swerved near the finish line when in front. After his victory in the sixth leg, Dettori who was now on 36 World Series points, said ÒIÕm glad to put SwainÕs ghost behind me after last year. It took me six months to get over Swain, everybody tried to bury me, but IÕm back. Daylami was a machine today.Ó

The seventh leg was won by Cat Thief, trained in the U.S. by D. Wayne Lukas, battling hard to win the BreederÕs Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park. Almutawakel, the Dubai World Cup winner, sat fourth throughout the race and crossed the line in the same position. Cat Thief took the lead a furlong from home with Budroyale looking to have every chance but the gallant three-year-old Cat Thief was pushed on by his U.S. jockey, Pat Day, to cross the line a length and a quarter ahead.

Special Week, home-trained in Japan by Hiroyoshi Usuda, won the eighth leg of the series Ð the Japan Cup Ð over a mile and a half of TokyoÕs fabulous racecourse on November 28. Indigenous, from the Hong Kong stable of Ivan Allan, finished in second with the Frankie Dettori-partnered High-Rise Ð victor of the 1999 Epsom Derby Ð finally regaining his old form to finish third. Montjeu, the race favourite and winner of the Prix de LÕArc de Triomphe, finished fourth.

The concluding race of the World Series on December 12 Ð the Hong Kong International Cup Ð is the centrepiece of the three international races run in mid December at Sha Tin racecourse. Up to 30 horses from both hemispheres and four continents are expected to line up for the race over 2,000 metres of the U-shaped flat turf course with a two furlong straight.
/ENDS