2005 News
November 13, 2005
THE 30TH QUEEN ELIZABETH II COMMEMORATIVE CUP (GI)
November 13, 2005
RESULT OF THE 30TH QUEEN ELIZABETH II COMMEMORATIVE CUP (GI)
Able filly Sweep Tosho proved a different class among the female group in this year's Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (QEII), landing her third GI victory of her career and her second this year. Runner-up in the Oaks last year, the End Sweep filly captured a GI event for 3yo fillies (Shuka Sho, 2,000m) before finishing fifth in the '04 QEII. This year, she has finished second in the Yasuda Kinen (GI, 1,600m) and capped off her spring campaign with a GI victory against top male counterparts in the Takarazuka Kinen (GI, 2,200m). Her victory in the QEII this year boosted her earnings to 572,020,000 yen.
The race broke off with fifth pick Osumi Haruka making the best of an inside draw to secure the lead and widening the gap between herself and her rivals by 10 lengths after the first turn. Admire Groove hugged the rails in mid-pack while Sweep Tosho was reserved off the pace in along the rail.
Osumi Haruka had plenty of advantage coming around the turn to hold off the chase by her rivals, which spread wide at the fourth corner. Admire Groove was the first to launch his bid from the outside with a good change of speed with Sweep Tosho going wide came flying past the defending champion soon after the furlong marker. Osumi Haruka who was still more than five lengths in front looked as if she could pull off a win but was caught by Sweep Tosho, who was in full blast in the last few strides.
English raider, seventh favorite Summitville, ridden by Sebastian Sanders, couldn't follow the fast early pace and was unable to secure her usual position in the front group by the time the race settled to a moderate speed.
Favorite Air Messiah was settled near the rear and came out from between horses with a good turn of foot but belatedly.
