Ugo Foscolo wins 2016 Sothys 44th N.Z. 2000 Guineas Group 1 NZ$400,000 at Riccarton Park (NZ) 3yo, 1600m.
After Ugo Foscolo narrowly won the Sarten Memorial (Gr 2, 1400m) at his previous start when also ridden by Michael Coleman. They dictated the terms of the race, leading soon after the start the inside barrier and daring the chasers to run him down. At the 1000m he had the field spread out and rounding the big Riccarton bend and Coleman kept a tight line against the fence. The fast fractions began to tell on those behind and Ugo Foscolo skipped clear once into the straight, out by three lengths at the 300m and by four at the 200m. The break was too much and the gelding held on to score by a length and a quarter in a time of 1:33.81.
Savile Row was outpaced down the back, fourth last starting the bend, moved up wider near the last corner yet was giving the leader six lengths once they balanced. Staying on best of the rest, he kept up a strong run but the post arrived too soon.
Heroic Valour settled midfield, began his run at the 800m, edged closer to be third as they straightened. He, along with Savile Row, chased gamely but the winning break was too great.
Cha Siu Bau was second last at the 800m, closer into the straight and ran on, well back in fourth.
Wyndspelle was also well back until the last corner and ran on into fifth when the race was over.
Favourite Mongolian Falcon tried to go with the winner from the outset but showed nothing in the straight, a distant and disappointing (9.3 lengths) sixth.
