Somnus Upsets Oasis Dream in Haydock Rain

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Somnus, nearly last on the inside with a furlong to go, switched out for the run to the wire for jockey Ted Durcan and caught the hot favorite Oasis Dream to win the $353,000 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup (Eng-I) at rainy Haydock Park.

Somnus won by 1 1/4 length in the rain, which may have hampered the speed of 8-11 choice Oasis Dream, who was under pressure while leading until the final 100 yards. The six furlongs was run in 1:13.49 on good to soft going.

Trainer John Gosden said the result would not affect plans to run his colt Oasis Dream, the July Cup and Nunthorpe winner in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT)

"It was unfortunate ground conditions went against us with that heavy downpour 45 minutes before the race on top of earlier rain and watering the previous night," Gosden told The Racing Post. "Ground like that isn't Oasis Dream's scene and never has been, but I don't want to take anything away from the winner. He will run again before the Breeders' Cup and we have a couple of options to think about."

Somnus was priced at 12-1. Trainer Tim Easterby said the forecast for heavy rain convinced him to give the 3-year-old Pivotal gelding a chance.

"Somnus loved the ground," said Easterby, "The ground came right for him. He goes on fast ground but he is just very, very good when it's soft."

Airwave was third, three-quarters of a length behind Oasis Dream, followed by Steenberg. Ten competed.

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