Arrogate shows his class at World Cup
JOCKEY Mike Smith had so much confidence in Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday night that he rode him the same way he used to ride the great mare Zenyatta, but he would not be drawn into saying which of the pair was better.
Arrogate’s earning are now over US$ 17 million, which makes him the highest stakes earner in thoroughbred history
Smith deliberately missed the break and dropped Arrogate out to last, the same way he used to do with the huge striding Zenyatta, whose only defeat was in her 20th and final start.
Arrogate
However, Smith did make his move earlier on Arrogate than he used to on Zenyatta and steadily made up ground around the first turn and in the back straight.
Around the final turn he moved from third last to third.
Upon entering the straight an incident served to prove how strong the big horse is and how within himself he was moving.
At that stage he received a hefty bump from the Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaahij, who was attempting to angle outward.
However, he held the exact same line and didn’t seem to even notice the presence of the latter.
He then cruised past the handy pair Gun Runner and Neolithic to win the US$ 10 million race as he liked by 2,25 lengths.
Mubtaahij had a perfect trip throughout and fought on bravely for fourth to claim another placed finish for De Kock in this lucrative event.
Mubtaahij earned a cheque of US$ 500 000 to end a disappointing Dubai Carnival for De Kock, at least by his high standards, on a high note.
Smith said Arrogate was a horse who “can do anything”, i.e. he can lead, come from last and they can go fast or slow, it doesn’t matter to him. He added: “Look at him, he looks like he hasn’t taken a breath.”
In the latest Longines world rankings Arrogate was in joint first place on 127 with the phenomenal Australian mare Winx.
This performance should take him to the top. The Bob Bafferttrained four-year-old lost on debut over six furlongs, but has won his next seven starts, including four Gr 1s in succession over a mile and two furlongs. (2 000m).
He has twice beaten the previous darling of the American dirt, the seven-times Gr1-winner California Chrome, including in the world’s richest thoroughbred horse race, the US$ 12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
Smith had previously said Arrogate was very much like his father Unbridled’s Song, on whom he won two Gr 1s in the mid-nineties.
The grey colt’s laid back style of running means he looks to have plenty of racing still in him if Juddmonte Farms opt to keep him in training.