Racing: Few excuses from cup's beaten brigade

If there had been a prize for most gracious loser at Ellerslie yesterday it would have gone to visiting French jockey Olivier Doleuze.

Following his close second on Zabeat in the SkyCity Auckland Cup, Doleuze had nothing but praise for his mount despite being robbed of victory in the shadows of the winning post.

"I was able to give him exactly the right run that his trainer had asked me to and he never stopped trying," he said without a trace of rancour or disappointment.

"The pace was fast enough and as I was told I gave him plenty of room. I asked him for some more and he felt very strong, but when the other horse came at him I knew he was unable to win.

"He did not weaken though, he just kept trying and that is all I could ask for.

"You know, two is better than three!"

Third placed jockey Lisa Cropp, riding the favourite Zarius, was inclined to think that her mount would be able to run out a stronger 3200 metres with more maturity.

"I got on the back of Kerry O'Reilly and when we swung for home I thought he was going to get past Zabeat, but he couldn't quite get there," said Cropp.

"It was still a very good run and I think he will manage the distance in time."

Other comments:

Glen Boss (Kind Return, 4th): "She relaxed reasonably well and even though the pace was a bit muddly it came on at the right time.

"She just couldn't quicken enough though."

Chad Ormsby (Boulevardofdreams, 5th): "A huge run. If I hadn't been held up when I was looking for a run she could have finished in the money."

Noel Harris (Kerry O'Reilly, 6th): "It was a top run considering how hard he pulled.

"He just wouldn't come back to me and any other horse would have been gone before the turn."

Vinny Colgan (Cluden Creek, 7th): "He had a good run and tried hard, but he was just too dour."

Grant Cooksley (All Square, 8th): "Had a nice run but didn't kick on."

Andrew Calder (Viz Vitae, 9th): "He pulled hard and was never going to win."

Jason Waddell (Distinctly Secret, 11th): "He tried hard but couldn't sprint with 58kg on his back."

Daniel Hain (Pentempo, 14th): "He had every chance but didn't help himself by over-racing a bit."

Gary Grylls (Anne Carina, 16th): "She went about 2800m and that was it."

Michael Rodd (Pacific Dancer, 17th): "He simply failed to handle the ground, he was hopeless in it."

Michael Coleman (Genebel, last): "From the time she jumped she never felt right."