Article posted on -  3/29/2008 11:14:50 AM

Photo finish Dubai Duty Free

COURSE RECORD FOR JAY PEG IN DUTY FREE WIN

The Herman Brown trained Jay Peg took the US$5million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, showing remarkable courage to fight back after being headed by Vodka before repelling another determined thrust from the French filly and runner-up Darjina

Archipenko got up for third, relegating Vodka to fourth, but on top of all that drama, winning rider Anton Marcus had to combat a slipping saddle in the shadow of the post that threatened to unship him as he tried to pull up the victorious Jay Peg.

"I thought I was going to fall after just after the post," said Marcus, wearing a huge smile on his face following the Group 1 turf showpiece.

"I'm very proud to ride this horse especially as he used to be trained by brother Marcus and is part-owned by brother Selwyn.”

The winner's time of 1.46.20s was a new course record, though it came as something of a surprise to trainer Herman Brown.

"I really didn't think they went that fast, but anyway it doesn't matter now. Some people were disappointed with his last run but I really could not split my runners and I knew this horse would fight when it came to a battle.

"He's kept improving and I think this shows that you've got to train a horse to peak on Dubai World Cup night and not for the beginning of the carnival.

“It's great for the owners also because if you convert this currency into our rand, it amounts to an awful lot."