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Bolger Celebrates Dewhurst Stakes Hat-Trick - 10-23-08
Photo of 2008 Dewhurst Stakes Copyright © Steve McMillan 2008 No unauthorised use. Buy this photo and more at the Equishots website.
October 23 - There aren't many top race horse trainers that can boast consecutive wins in big annual Gr 1 races, but one who can is the highly-respected Irish trainer Jim Bolger who last weekend celebrated his 3rd consecutive Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1) victory, when Kevin Manning rode Intense Focus across the line first.
The County Carlow trainer celebrated a win in the 2006 Dewhurst Stakes with Teofilo and in 2007 with this year's awesome Champion Stakes winner, New Approach, both ridden by the talented Manning. But what makes this last victory so sweet is the fact that Intense Focus went into the Dewhurst a 20 to 1 long shot.
When the seven furlong race got underway on Saturday at England's prestigious Newmarket Racecourse, there was little separating the pacesetters, which were made up of Intense Focus, Soul City and Finjaan. By the two furlong marker the leaders were neck and neck until Intense Focus slipped into the lead by a nose.
Coming down the final straight, Intense Focus and Finjaan were subjected to a strong challenge by the Karl Burke-trained Lord Shanakill, so strong in fact that it looked as if he would become the next 'Lord of the Dewhurst'. However, both Intense Focus and Finjaan fought back and the threesome crossed the line in unison.
The gathered Newmarket crowd had a few anxious minutes to wait as the race judges deliberated over the photo finish, before declaring Intense Focus the winner and awarded Lord Shanakill second and Finjaan third. Most Newmarket punters declared this year's Dewhurst Stakes one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Said Manning after the race, 'It was very, very close and when I crossed the line I was right in the middle of Lord Shanakill and Finjaan so I wasn't 100 percent sure who won. I was absolutely ecstatic when the judges awarded the win to us. Intense Focus ran very well and when the gap appeared he simply took it.'
Bolger too was visibly pleased at the unexpected result and had this to say: 'Intense Focus is a hardy horse. He was four kilos heavier today than he was in Paris (where he secured a third place in the Grand Criterium), so we knew he was on the right track. We've just kept him ticking over which worked out perfectly.'
Not only did Bolger and Manning each celebrate a Dewhurst Stakes hat trick, but Intense Focus also broke the race record when he covered the distance in a time of 1:23.33. During the same race meeting, Manning also rode Bolger's champion colt New Approach to a victory in the coveted Champion Stakes (Gr 1).
Photo of 2008 Dewhurst Stakes Copyright © Steve McMillan 2008 No unauthorised use.
Other Articles:
2008 Breeders Cup Classic Won by Ravens Pass - 10-26-08De Kock to Run Eagle Mountain in Breeders Cup Turf - 10-25-08Breeders Cup Betting Preview And Free Tips - 10-24-08The Tiger Claws Way to Geelong Classic Win - 10-23-08Royal Day Chalks up Win in Michaelmas Handicap - 10-22-08Pick Six at Belmont Park tops $1 Million - 10-22-08New Approach Retires a True Champion - 10-21-08Excitement Building for Breeders Cup Classic 08 - 10-21-08
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| | 2009/11/20 11:35:00 AM |
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