Article posted on - 2/28/2008 2:16:42 PM
Photo finish of Hard Top's win
HARD TOP WINS FOR BROWN IN DUBAI
Hard Top, the recently purchased Irish bred, cracked his first win for the VIP
Thoroughbreds stable by taking out the Maserati Trophy at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday
night over 2400m.
The Herman Brown trained gelding was in fine form running second last time
out and followed that up with a good win.
Hard Top saved ground thoroughout the race when placed towards the rear of
the field by Jockey Ryan Moore. In the straight, when he looked ready to pounce
on the leaders, he seemed to be caught behind runners. As the race unfolded,
Jockey Moore found a crucial gap at around the 200m mark and immediately showed
Hard Top the way home. He hit the front full of running and captured the race
in fine style.
A true stayer, he has always been looking for ground and fully deserved his
first win in Dubai.
"We are very pleased with the win, he has done well in Dubai and although
a quirky individual he has come on nicely here," said Brown post race.
"He is a nice staying type and would be competitive in races like the Durban
July over 2200m in South Africa. He has had four runs in Dubai and if he gets
a run in the Sheema Classic, that would be great," continued Brown.
"We have not discussed his future plans as yet," mentioned Brown
when asked about the horses future.
Sushisan was slightly disappointing when fancied to win in race 2. He was
3rd after hitting the front with 300m to go. VIP's other runner, Alpacco was
again an excellent 2nd in the same event and gave the winner plenty of cheek
in the home straight.
In the first event of the evening, another VIP import, Grand Vista, a son
of Danehill, ran an impresive 3rd only beaten 3 lengths in a US$200 000 event.
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