Goldikova - brilliant winner at Santa Anita.
BRILLIANT GOLDIKOVA DOES IT AGAIN
By Martin Kelly, Press Association Sport, Santa Anita
Goldikova (IRE) Profile
F Head Profile
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Goldikova emulated Miesque by winning back-to-back renewals of the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita.
Trainer Freddie Head had the pleasure of riding Miesque and completed a remarkable feat that will take some matching.
Draw 11 of 11, Olivier Peslier bided his time at the back of the field and had to weave through runners in the straight.
Courageous Cat was clear but when Goldikova started her run the outcome had an inevitable look to it.
The four-year-old was going away at the line and arguably put up a more impressive performance than last year.
Delegator was unplaced while Zacinto was virtually pulled up by Ryan Moore.
Head said: "I was very happy. We were a bit far back but we didn't have any choice and the pace was strong.
"She came very fast and for a moment or two she hung a bit but in the last 100 yards she went.
"She is very special and we haven't discussed when she might retire."
When asked whether Goldikova could bid for a third triumph in 12 months' time, Head said: "Why not? We'll try.
"The only difference from last year to this year was her last run. She got beat that day but she wasn't at her best at Longchamp and there were excuses that day.
"If you take away that run then she has had a very good year and she was in very good condition coming into the race.
"She is very easy to train and does everything herself. She always gives her best, never has a problem and never puts a foot wrong so she is quite special.
"I don't have the words to express how I feel. To ride a horse like Miesque and now train a horse like Goldikova is something you can only dream of.
"Today she has shown she can come from a long way back. At Longchamp she was drawn 14 of 14 and went on. Today she was 11 or 11 so I wanted my jockey to wait.
"We wanted to cover her up and relax her today. I wasn't concerned during the race but it is difficult to give ground away.
"Olivier said he was always confident during the race and knew he would win turning in."
Peslier said: "She's a wonderful filly and to win two times consecutively is a great achievement.
"Last year I had a good draw but today the race was completely different. I didn't want to go wide round the outside, I thought I'd just wait down the back straight to see what happens.
"I didn't want to go up the inside off the turn so I just kept out of trouble."
Sir Michael Stoute said of Zacinto: "Ryan (Moore) wasn't happy with him, he looked awkward coming round the bend and he decided to pull him up."
When pressed on a possible injury he added: "There's nothing apparent at the moment."
Moore added: "He lost his action and wasn't really comfortable on the ground, which was very quick. I felt it best to pull him up."
Delegator's jockey Frankie Dettori added: "I had a perfect trip but his stamina gave out in the last furlong."
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