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Soumillon comes with late Run

Racing News: Reunited with an old comrade in Christophe Soumillon, Hurricane Run claimed a last-gasp victory in the King George…

Mon Jul 31 2006 - 01:00

Racing News: Reunited with an old comrade in Christophe Soumillon, Hurricane Run claimed a last-gasp victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

With Kieren Fallon, who drove him home in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe suspended from riding in Britain, the Belgian ace stepped in for the ride on André Fabre's four-year-old.

And despite having his critics, Soumillon held his own when driving the 5 to 6 favourite up the far rail to beat Godolphin's Electrocutionist by half a length, with the Japanese raider Heart's Cry the same distance back in third.

Hurricane Run hit his customary flat spot on the turn for home and started to back-pedal before Soumillon got him rolling.

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But Frankie Dettori on the eventual runner-up and Christophe Lemaire aboard Heart's Cry blocked him in and it was not until the final furlong that Hurricane Run got the gap he needed.

Fabre's six previous King George runners had sunk without trace, so was naturally thrilled.

"It was a little difficult in the middle of the race as it seemed as if he was going to be blocked in," he said. "Everyone knows my opinion about Christophe - he is one of the best jockeys in the world . . . I must give credit to Kieren, who had to miss the race; he has taught the horse how to race."

Bookmakers were quick to slash Hurricane Run's odds to as low as 2 to 1 for a repeat win at Longchamp in October.

"He could have a prep race in the Prix Foy or he could go straight there, but he will probably go for the Breeders' Cup as well," Fabre said.

Bolger the star

Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning stole the show at Leopardstown on Saturday night with a 31 to 1 treble. Bolger saddled Teofilo in the Korean Racing Association Tyros Stakes, Gaudeamus in the Robert H Griffin Debutante Stakes and Heliostatic in the Meld Stakes.

"Heliostatic is improving all the time and he battles very well," said Bolger. "I'm not sure where he'll go next, but he is in the Irish Champion Stakes back here on September 9th."

"This is probably his best trip," added Manning.