Bristol Rovers and Rainbow Moonshell fight out pulsating finish

Racegoers to Oklahoma were treated to a spectacular finish to the Winchester Park Cup(G3) on Saturday as old rivals Bristol Rovers and Rainbow Moonshell slugged it out on the run to the wire.

The result came down to a photo-finish and the judge’s verdict was a neck victory to Bristol Rovers. The pair were never very far from each other during the race as both jockey’s were only too aware of who was the main danger, and as the race reached its climax both horses made their finishing moves at the same time. Bristol Rovers just had first run on his old rival and was able to keep the persistent challenge of Rainbow Moonshell at bay.

Both horses were given a finishing time of just over 2:16, resulting in a speed figure of a 101 for the pair.

This result gave Bristol Rovers his 13th graded win and moved him up to 9th position for the number of graded wins achieved by any horse in the history of the sim. He has also surpassed the $5.5 million mark in earnings. Trainer swampy stated prior to the race that should he win, Bristol Rovers would be headed for the Ark De Triumph at Longchamp in 5 weeks time. I assume that is still the target. He remained tight-lipped on any possible participation in this year’s Breeders Bowl Turf.

The gallant runner-up still only has the one graded success he achieved as a juvenile but a second graded win shouldn’t be too long in coming, dependent of course on his future campaign!