Whispering Gallery took command at the top of the lane and drew off to an impressive 2 1/4 length victory in the $200,000 DRC Gold Cup Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (UAE-IIIT) at Meydan Racecourse March 10. The two-mile turf contest was the first of two stakes that highlighted the closing night of the 2011 Dubai Racing Carnival.
Bergo broke alertly and went straight to the front under Christophe Soumillon. The pair set sail on an easy gallop, setting slow fractions throughout much of the 16-furlong marathon. Frankie Dettori sat just behind them on Whispering Gallery, with Royaaty and a very keen Age of Reason right on their heels.
The order remained much the same throughout the early stages of the race, as Bergo continued to set a slow pace on the front end. Dettori sat just behind him on Whispering Gallery, as Mikhail Glinka eased into third.
At the top of the lane, Whispering Gallery drew alongside Bergo, and it was obvious the son of Daylami had plenty left in the tank. Soumillon went to work aboard Bergo, but they were no match for Whispering Gallery, who eased to the front and continued to draw off in the stretch, crossing the wire a comfortable winner.
Bergo stubbornly held onto second, finishing 2 3/4 lengths in front of Opinion Poll, who passed a tiring Mikhail Glinka for the show spot. Final time for the two miles was a pedestrian 3:29.44 over a good turf course.
The victory by Whispering Gallery was the first half of an early double on the night for Dettori, trainer Saeed bin Suroor, and Godolphin, who also captured the fifth race with Honour System.
Whispering Gallery was bred in England by Darley. The 5-year-old gelding is the first foal out of the Sun Chariot Stakes (Eng-II) winner, Echoes In Eternity (by Spinning World). He hails from the immediate family of grade I/group I winners Playful Act, Silver Ending, Siberian Summer, and Cavalryman.
Whispering Gallery wins the 2011 DRC Gold Cup.
