Article posted on -  3/7/2008 6:53:35 AM

Photo finish of the Jebel Hatta, with Jay Peg in second

JAY PEG RETURNS TO FORM

Jay Peg returned to form in what can account for one of the strongest fields he has faced in his illustrious career.

The scene was the Jebel Hatta, a key lead up race for the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night; the result on paper was a second, but it was far more that than for the talented Grade 1 winner.

Jay Peg ran his heart out in a front running effort to capture a place in the Duty Free itself. The race is universally accepted as being the ticket into the US$5 millon dollar Duty Free. Jay Peg made his way to the front after coming out of the stalls quickly. He settled in front and was asked to quicken up 500m out by Jockey Ryan Moore.

Even though he looked like he would fall into a hole in the home straight, the Grade 1 winner galloped resolutely to the wire only to be outrun in the final 50m. In the process, he beat New Zealand's top horse, Seachange as well as one of Hong Kong's best, Viva Macau. He gave the first 5 finishers home 3 kgs, a penalty incurred for his Grade 1 win.

In all, it was a courageous run under trying circumstances.