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| Sumita Pawar |
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Joseph O'Brien was unable to secure a surprising victory in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood when Al Husn, an even greater underdog, defied expectations and triumphed over Blue Rose Cen and Nashwa to claim the spotlight.
Christopher Head's Blue Rose Cen was the clear favorite at 10-11 odds to continue her winning streak in the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks, with Nashwa, last year's Nassau heroine, seen as her biggest competition.
Moore's Tactical Masterclass Stuns
Above The Curve, trained by O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, took the lead early on and it was in the final stretch that the excitement unfolded.
Aurelien Lemaitre, a French jockey riding at Goodwood for the first time, saw an opportunity on the far rail aboard Blue Rose Cen. However, Moore quickly and firmly closed the gap, leaving the favored horse trapped behind with nowhere to go.
On the other hand, Hollie Doyle skillfully maneuvered Nashwa and seemed poised to continue her winning streak from the previous Falmouth Stakes Group One race. She accelerated impressively, closing in on the frontrunners.
However, her performance waned in the final stretch, and she couldn't overtake the leading horse, Above The Curve. Al Husn, trained by Roger Varian, who had previously defeated Nashwa in a Group Three event in Newcastle, also put up a strong fight.
Under the guidance of Jim Crowley, Al Husn (9-1) persevered and triumphed over Above The Curve by half a length. Nashwa trailed behind by the same distance, securing third place, while Blue Rose Cen closely followed in fourth.
This victory marked another eventful few days for Crowley, who recently faced a rollercoaster of emotions. Despite his win aboard Hukum in the prestigious King George race at Ascot, he received a 20-day suspension and a €12,000 fine.