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| Staff Writer |
Thoroughbred racing on World Cup night got underway in thrilling fashion with Bathrat Leon winning his match race against Storm Damage in the Group two Godolphin Mile.
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Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, this was the first victory that knocked up the Japanese Raiders in what is likely to be a long night ahead. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, the 4YO son of Kizuna fought a long and hard against Godolphin owned Storm Damage who was in no mood to give up and challenged until the end in hands of Pat Cosgrave, with the leading duo pulling well clear of the rest of the field.
In the straight they went head to head until virtually the final 100 metres when Bathrat Leon appeared to pull away. Storm Damage had to dig deep as Desert Wisdom moved in and finished in second place with Storm Damage in third place.
The US$ 1,000,000 Godolphin Mile also featured Al Nefud, who was purchased at the Racing in Dubai Sale last September, has been nothing short of impressive, emerging triumphant on two of his three starts so far and 2021 defending champion Secret Ambition from Zabeel Stables, who were unable to challenge the leaders.