Cross Counter defies layoff in winning Dubai Gold Cup

Cross Counter successfully bridged the gap Saturday between Australia and the UAE with a brilliant victory for jockey William Buick over Isopolini – like the winner, a 4-year-old owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby – in the Group 2, $1.5 million Dubai Gold Cup.

Winner of the Melbourne Cup last November, Cross Counter defied the lengthy layoff, showing great courage as the two stablemates drew clear of their eight rivals from 500m out. Ispolini surrendered the lead 250m from the finish, where Cross Counter forged ahead to gain victory by one and a quarter lengths in a time of 3:19, the third-best in 11-year history of the race.

“It was his first opportunity to run since Melbourne, and he answered all the questions," Appleby said. "William was put in a bit of a pocket in the race, but you’re actually never too worried when you're working with the nice horses and good jockeys we have.

“I’m delighted with the result. It’s what tonight is all about, and it’s good to get the first one out of the way. I just spoke to His Highness and we said we’d let the dust settle before come up with a plan."

Cross Counter, who gave both his trainer and jockey their first successes in the race, was taking his career record to six wins and two second placings from nine races.

French-trained Call The Wind stayed on over the last 500m to be third, three lengths off the first two and four lengths ahead of Gold Mount, Hong Kong’s first runner in the race.

“I was always going to choose Cross Counter over Ispolini and it is great has he come out and won on his return," Buick said. "Cross Counter is a special horse for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Godolphin. The pace was a bit stop-start and I was very happy with the way he travelled and he finished off well. It is a great effort when you consider he has been off since the Melbourne Cup."

Representing American interests, John Sadler-trained Platinum Warrior ran sixth of nine. He entered off a victory in Santa Anita Park's San Marcos (G2).

“I think the race was too far for him," said jockey Shane Foley. "It was a big step up in distance for him. It was just too much. He needs the blinkers but we couldn't put them on him today going two miles. They would have helped him concentrate.

"I think turning back in distance and with the blinkers, he'll be perfect next time. I'm looking forward to riding him again when he gets back to the U.S. and Santa Anita. He's won there before and he's a nice horse.”