Russian Emperor could manage only fifth in his bid to win a second straight G3 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) at Al Rayyan in Doha on Saturday afternoon (17 February).
Trained by Douglas Whyte, Russian Emperor settled at the tail of the field from gate seven under jockey Alberto Sanna as Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance ambled to an early lead before going to claim victory in Qatar’s most-famed thoroughbred race.
“It was a very brave effort. The winner was gifted the race, it was just a really slow tempo and it looked like an on-pace dominated track all day. He’s probably one of the only horses who has made ground from near last and he’s run home in good order,” Whyte said.
Taking over from North Bridge at the head of the field under jockey William Buick for trainer Charlie Appleby, Rebel’s Romance then let rip in the home straight as Russian Emperor – who returned with a cut on his right hind leg – began to make ground late.
“He got cut into, I’m not sure whereabouts that happened but it’s a significant cut, so that will have hindered him a little bit. It was pace orientated and that was the downfall to our winning chances. The horse has run well and I’ll go back and see him now – I’m proud of him,” Whyte said.
The winning time of the race was 2m 28.74s. Zeffiro – second in the 2023 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) – finished runner-up, while fellow Japanese raiders Satono Glanz and North Bridge grabbed third and fourth place, respectively.
“I’m happy to come and very happy with the horse. You go home with your tail between your legs and your tongue in your cheek really, it was a high beforehand and a bit of a low now but that’s racing for you in a nutshell. It’s a long way to come to have a race run like that and be disappointed but the horse has run well,” Whyte said.