Generalife Goes Close in Doomben 10,000

Generalife came close to landing the G1 James Boag's Premium Doomben 10,000 at Doomben, Australia, on Saturday, May 23, losing out in a three-way photo-finish.

The five-year-old, with Hugh Bowman up, was away from the stalls with the others but had to be pushed along to maintain a position.

He improved to mid-division on the outside after three furlongs and swung into the straight with only one horse wider.

Generalife came with a strong run to challenge inside the final furlong and then disputed the lead until just being edged out for first and second in the closing stages.

The son of Lonhro went down by a short-neck and a nose to the winner Boban, whose time was 1m 19.15s for the six furlongs and 156 yards on good ground, and second Charlie Boy.

Trainer John O'Shea also ran Knoydart, the mount of James McDonald, who was drawn on the outside in stall 15.

Knoydart was held up and raced last of the 16 runners, being brought over towards the inside rail.

The five-year-old was switched out turning in and entered the straight third widest. He finished well and took fourth, two and three quarter lengths behind his stable companion.

John O'Shea said: "Generalife showed a good turn of foot late and was very narrowly beaten.

"He has pulled up really well so, going forward to the Stradbroke Handicap in a fortnight, he will drop down in weight and hopefully that will be enough for him to go two better.

"From his wide gate James was going to ride Knoydart for luck along the inside rail but got caught behind a bunch of slow horses.

"By the time he made the decision to come out wide, the bird had flown a bit by then although Knoydart was actually on the back of the winner at the half-mile.

"Knoydart balanced up and got to the line really well. He just needs to draw a gate in the Stradbroke Handicap in a fortnight where he gets a weight drop as he has got his hoof on the till."

The AUS$2-million Stradbroke Handicap is a Group One handicap usually run at Eagle Farm Racecourse. However in 2015, the Stradbroke Handicap, over nearly seven furlongs, takes place at Doomben on June 6 while Eagle Farm undergoes redevelopment.