Weld strikes again as Zhukova dismisses US rivals

Report: USA, Saturday

Belmont Park: Man o' War Stakes (Grade 1) 1m3f | turf | 4yo+

The Dermot Weld stable made a triumphant return to the scene of one of its greatest triumphs as Zhukova (John Velazquez) overwhelmed her US-trained rivals for a six-length success in the Man o'War, giving rise to hopes of a long overdue Breeders' Cup success for her pioneering trainer.

On paper the mare seemed to have plenty in her favour getting weight from her four rivals – three were scratched owing to the rain-softened ground – in the $400,000 contest and she was duly sent off 9-10 favourite.

Velazquez settled Zhukova to front-runner Charming Kitten, who set a pedestrian gallop at the head of a tightly bunched field until the Irish visitor eased into the lead on the far turn and then stretched clear. Taghleeb got the best of the race for second.

"We're absolutely over the moon with that," said Mark Weld, assistant trainer to his father, who remains the only European-based trainer ever to win a leg of the US Triple Crown thanks to his historic success in the Belmont Stakes in 1990 with Go And Go.

"Belmont has always been good to us and this is right up there for us," added Mark Weld. "This was a major target over the last few weeks and the rain came, which was a huge help. Johnny was very complimentary about her – he said she could have a future here."

Weld admitted the slow pace had been a cause for worry. "I was concerned with the fractions – my big fear is that it would happen and that she would get caught," he added.

"But her class won out. She's a true European Grade 1 mare; we've known she's a good mare for a little while. You don't beat the Breeders' Cup winner Found very easily, and she beat her pretty handily. She's a homebred; we've had her since she was a foal bred by my grandmother. This is huge for us today. We have a lot to look forward to."

For all his globetrotting exploits, Weld has never won a race at the Breeders' Cup and Zhukova is likely be given the chance to fill the gap on the trainer's CV. "She'll come home now but the Filly & Mare Turf would be a definite possibility to finish off the year," said Mark Weld.

Velazquez, down to his minimum at 8st, was impressed with the daughter of Fastnet Rock. "She gives you so much confidence," said the jockey.

"She broke well and there really wasn't much speed in the race on paper. They told me she likes to be close to the pace and with no pace at all, I knew she was going to break great and be right there. She handled the grass really well and coming from Europe you could tell she was used to this type of surface. When I asked her to run down the lane she had another gear."

Also on Saturday

Belmont Park: Beaugay Stakes (Grade 3) 1m½f | turf | 4yo+ f/m

The former Hugo Palmer-trained Hawksmoor (Arnaud Delacour/Julien Leparoux) made all for a winning seasonal debut, just holding the late kick of Dacita. Royal Ascot hope Miss Temple City did not take part on account of the soft ground (officially yielding).

Belmont Park: Peter Pan Stakes (Grade 3) 1m1f | dirt | 3yo

Odds-on favourite Timeline (Chad Brown/Javier Castellano) extended his unbeaten record to three in this designated Belmont Stakes trial, reeling in front-runner Meantime in the stretch before drawing away to score by three and a half lengths.

"He's a really nice horse and the way he did it today was amazing," Castellano said. "This kind of horse is very straightforward. All you have to do is push a button and he goes forward."