Manobo edged out in G2 Dubai Gold Cup

Manobo was caught close home when going down by half a length to Japanese raider Stay Foolish in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Night, Saturday, 26 March.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, who brought a perfect five-from-five record into the two-mile highlight, raced keenly with the initial slow pace before settling better after finding cover as Volcanic Sky led the 13 runners.

Manobo was shuffled back to mid-field at the halfway point but stayed on powerfully once switched out by William Buick approaching the three-furlong pole. He collared Volcanic Sky inside the final furlong and opened up a narrow advantage, only for Stay Foolish to rally and hit the front in the dying strides.

Charlie Appleby said: “It was always going to be a challenge given how keen Manobo was for the first three-quarters of a mile, but he showed his class turning in and I felt he had a chance of putting it to bed.

“I knew once William hit the front that our run was just about ready to peter out. Full credit to the Japanese horse, he is a good stayer and that is what he did – he outstayed us. William said our horse ran a great race considering he did it the wrong way round.

“It has always been in the back of our minds that two miles is right at the end of his limit. We felt we might get away with it here but in future I think we will come back to a mile and six furlongs and maybe even a mile and a half.”