Snow Fairy produced an amazing turn of foot to win the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Kyoto on Sunday for the second year in succession .
Ryan Moore’s mount looked to have plenty to do turning into the straight at least 10 lengths behind the runaway leader Shimmei Fuji with a dozen horses still in front of her.
She rallied strongly but it looked as if a place was going to be the best she could hope for with a furlong (200m) to run.
However, on the fast ground she so loves, the Ed Dunlop-trained four-year-old quickened up in fantastic style to burst through and beat Aventura by a neck with Apapane third.
The result is some compensation for Dunlop who missed out on a Melbourne Cup win when Red Cadeaux lost narrowly to Dunaden and the trainer tweeted his delight.
“Wow cannot believe it! Truly great filly, unbelievable ride and outstanding performance by my team, our luck has hopefully changed!” Dunlop said.
Moore is now unbeaten in five races on board the durable Snow Fairy, who has won well more than STG3 million ($A4.74 million) prize money.
“She’s a very talented filly and she tries very hard, I’m very lucky to be involved with her,” Moore said.
“The pace was stronger than I thought it would be and we were further back than I hoped to be positioned.
“She’s a very talented horse. It’s great to ride a filly good enough to come here, the racing in Japan is getting stronger every year.”
Snow Fairy was bitten by an insect five days ago and there had been a slight doubt about her participation.
“Five days ago she was three out of five lame on her right hind where the infection was very bad,” Dunlop told At The Races.
“The Japanese vets were fantastic. She had antibiotics, pain relief and huge credit must go to my staff who have looked after her.
“I was very downbeat after the problem that she would be able to win and today is one of the proudest moments we will ever have with her.
“We had Ouija Board and now we have her. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate having her.
“She will stay in training next year as long as she’s OK. We’re very lucky.”
PA AAP TURF
