Prize Money defeats Postponed in City Of Gold

Prize Money put up his best ever performance when defeating multiple G1 winner Postponed in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored By Emirates SkyCargo over 12 furlongs on turf at Meydan, UAE on Super Saturday, March 4.
 
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained four-year-old, ridden again by Adrie de Vries, was slightly slow into stride and raced in second last of the 10 runners on the inside.
 
Prize Money still had plenty to do when switched widest of all turning in but he ran on well from seventh entering the straight to take over the lead from another Godolphin runner, Emotionless (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), at the distance.
 
He then held on by a neck in 2m 29.33s after Postponed was switched to the inside and came to challenge in the closing stages. Emotionless was a further three quarters of a length back in third.
 
Saeed bin Suroor said: “I am very happy with Prize Money who ran so well to win.
 
“He holds an entry in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, 12f, turf, March 25) on Dubai World Cup night and that race must now be considered.
 
“The final decision will be up to the boss, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.”
 
Adrie de Vries commented: “I was a bit far back as Prize Money was slow away so he has done very well.
 
“I knew that Postponed was on my inside in the straight and wasn’t going to get to the outside. He had to make a switch to the inside and I had to make sure Prize Money kept going.
 
“Prize Money felt a better horse again today because when he quickened he did it really fast and indeed I feared I had gone to the front too soon.
 
“He has made a jump forward again as he did when he won his previous race under top-weight of 60 kilos. He is only a four-year-old and is improving still.
 
“This victory is a highlight for me and it is great to be part of this team who have given me chances.
 
“It is up to the team but I would think he will go for the Dubai Sheema Classic.”
 
Emotionless, who had raced on fifth on the outside, moved up in the straight and went to the front a furlong and a half before being one-paced in the final furlong.
 
Charlie Appleby explained: “I was delighted with Emotionless. He is a horse who, after his last start on dirt, we were confident that we had something to work with.
 
“His run-style has completely changed from what it was as a three-year-old. We came here tonight to gain more experience and find out what to do with him in Europe later in the year.
 
“He won’t race on Dubai World Cup night, instead going back to Europe. He has had three runs in Dubai and we hope he has a nice summer campaign over a mile and a half.”