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Scenic (IRE)
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Universal Prince proved himself to be the star stayer of the 3 year old crop of the 2000 to 2001 racing season, although he failed to win against the older horses as a 3 year old. A superb looking horse, he won the Spring Champion Stakes, and ran second in the VRC Derby in the spring, and in the autumn he won the Canterbury Guineas and the AJC Derby, before running at the back of the field in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, after appearing to have trained off. He returned as a 4 year to be somewhat of an enigma, and became the controversial horse of the spring when stewards ruled him unfit to run in the Melbourne Cup, a race he had been the long-time favourite for, after his run in the MacKinnon Stakes where he finished at the tail of the field and sore in the feet. His trainer Bede Murray was adamant that the horse was fit to start, and was bitterly disappointed by the decision. Universal Prince has however
returned in fine form this autumn, to silence his critics when he recorded his
first win since his Derby victory, in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes, his first win
at WFA, and his first in open company. He next tackles the BMW and will no
doubt be hard to beat. His regular rider is Justin Sheehan made a poignant
speech after their Ranvet victory, which left tears in my eyes, where he
described his great love for the horse he calls "The Prince", and his
gratitude to the connections of the horse who have stuck with him, despite some
criticisms in the media over his handling of the horse, and the efforts of other
jockeys to grab the ride from him. Well done Justin! Universal
Prince and Justin then were run down on the line by Scott Seamer and Cups
heroine Ethereal in the Group 1 WFA BMW Stakes, after appearing all over a
winner. |
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