Locally Trained Emblem Road Upsets The Saudi Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

The $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, the world's richest race, featured such international favourites as Mandaloun (Into Mischief), Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {Ire}) and Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), but at the end of 1 1/8 miles it was the locally trained Emblem Road (Quality Road) who posted a huge upset. Slowest away, Emblem Road watched on from well back as Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) carved out the early pace, with Art Collector (Bernardini) at his throatlatch. The recently promoted Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun traveled just off them, while Mishriff traveled in the four path from the extreme outside gate 14. As they straightened for home Country Grammer (Tonalist) and Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) emerged from the stalkers to be the first to throw down as Secret Ambition began to tire, but all the while Emblem Road was rolling down the middle of the track, and he hit the lead with a half furlong to race to beat Country Grammer by a half-length, with Midnight Bourbon hanging on for third.

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