One Ruler finishes second at G1 Futurity Trophy

DUBAI: One Ruler capped an excellent juvenile campaign with a rallying second on heavy ground in the mile G1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, UK, on Saturday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt, an impressive winner of the G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes on his previous start, broke smartly and raced in second overall towards the stands’ side as the eight runners split into two equal groups after the first quarter-mile.

He continued to hold the runner-up position as the field converged passing the three-furlong pole before being asked for his effort by William Buick approaching the final two furlongs.

The Dubawi homebred battled gamely to press for the lead over a furlong out and kept on all the way to the line, going down by three-quarters of a length to New Approach colt Mac Swiney as the first two pulled clear of third home Baradar.

Charlie Appleby said: “One Ruler has run a very solid race and toughed it out in testing conditions. He has rounded off his two-year-old season with two excellent efforts and goes into the winter with a lovely profile for next year.”

Meanwhile, progressive two-year-old Botanik took another significant step forward when finishing a short-neck second in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over a mile and a quarter at Saint-Cloud, France.

The Golden Horn colt, stepping up markedly in class for trainer Andre Fabre after scoring at the same course in a mile maiden, raced on the outside of the field initially before tucking in behind the leaders in fourth after the first two furlongs.

Botanik was briefly relegated to fifth as the pace quickened turning in but stayed on strongly for Mickael Barzalona after being switched wide to deliver his challenge in the straight.

All seven runners looked to hold chances approaching the final furlong, with Botanik making good headway to take second with half a furlong to race. The Godolphin homebred continued to close in on the lead in the closing stages as Teofilo colt Gear Up narrowly made all in testing conditions.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Botanik ran a superb race and we are delighted with him. Mickael Barzalona said that he ran very nicely – he felt that Botanik was very honest and still slightly immature, so he should hopefully progress further next year.”

Melbourne Cup to go ahead, but without spectators: Australia’s Melbourne Cup horse race will go ahead next month but without crowds due to coronavirus restrictions, organisers said on Sunday, dealing the event a major blow.

First run in 1861, it is a cultural institution and up to 100,000 well-dressed punters usually flock to Flemington, with boozy parties held nationwide and the winning horse instantly becoming a household name in Australia.

But despite hopes that some sort of crowd would still be allowed on November 3, within government and public health guidelines, the Victoria Racing Club conceded it would not be possible.

“While we are very disappointed not to be able to welcome our members and racegoers to Cup Week, we understand the (Victorian) government’s commitment to keeping our community safe,” chairman Amanda Elliott said in a statement.

Victoria state has been battling a resurgence of Covid-19, with Melbourne’s five million people under stay-at-home restrictions for three months.

Case numbers have dwindled in recent weeks with only a handful of daily infections, and some lockdown rules were relaxed last week. But big-ticket sporting events in Melbourne have been hit hard with the Australian Rules grand final played outside the city on Saturday for the first time in over a century. This year’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne was cancelled at the last minute in March as the virus first emerged in the city.

Organisers are confident cricket’s Boxing Day Test in December — this year featuring India —  and the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam in January will go ahead. But whether fans are allowed remains to be seen.