Street Cry wins World Cup

Street Cry (third from right) powers away from the field

Street Cry has sprung a major surprise by winning the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race.

Hot favourite Sakhee came to challenge two furlongs out, but Street Cry cruised away to win comfortably.

Sei Mi got past Sakhee, the world's highest-rated race horse last year, in the straight to claim second.

When jockey Jerry Bailey asked Street Cry to lengthen his stride three furlongs out the dirt specialist soon put daylight between himself and the field.

As soon as I gave Street Cry the word he went

Winning jockey
Jerry Bailey

Sakhee tried to challenge but had no answer as Street Cry cruised to a four-and-a-quarter length victory, with Sakhee the same distance back in third.

Bailey has now ridden the winner of the World Cup four times in seven races since it started in 1996.

"They said Street Cry was training really wonderfully and that was good enough to me," said Bailey.

"As soon as I gave him the word he went."

"Three furlongs out is a long way out but I wanted to get through the hole on the inside."

Pretty impressive

Bailey had sympathetic words for Frankie Dettori, who was on-board the beaten favourite and has ridden Street Cry in the past.

"There's no need for Frankie to feel down, he's a great rider," said Bailey. "I'm glad to come over here and substitute for him.

"Street Cry was pretty impressive tonight on dirt and this is as good as they come right now."

Street Cry was returned at 9-2 with Sei Mi delighting each-way punters at 66-1.

Sakhee started as 5-2 on favourite.

---

Highlights will be shown on Grandstand, BBC Two, 1500 GMT, Sunday 24 March.