Ainslie: We have to keep pushing
ITALY’S Luna Rossa team dominated the opening day of the Challenger Series final as they opened up a 2-0 lead over INEOS Team UK at Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour yesterday.
The first race was effectively settled over the starting line as INEOS coughed up an early 600m advantage that the Italians never looked like giving up.
Ben Ainslie’s
INEOS also collected penalties for entering the start box too early and then for crossing the boundary. Luna Rossa, who crushed American Magic 4-0 in the semi-final, coasted to victory by one minute and 52 seconds.
Both teams made a solid start in the second race before Luna Rossa opened up a small advantage through the first gate. The Italians maintained their slender lead throughout the race before crossing the line 26 seconds clear.
“It was a good day, I thought the boys sailed really well on board,” said Luna Rossa co-helmsman Jimmy Spithill.
“There are still a few things we need to sharpen up on but great job by the team. The boat was firing very well.”
Ainslie (below) said: “One boat could get off the foil and one couldn’t and that was the story. We’ve got to do the best we can in the conditions and keep pushing.”
The skipper was hopeful INEOS would turn things around today. He added: “They’re a great team and it can be pretty hard to get past them. Let’s see what we get on the day.”
The best-of-13 Challenger Series final ends on February 22 with the winners taking on Team
New Zealand from March 6 for the America’s Cup.
RYAN MOORE fired himself up for some smart rides in Riyadh next weekend when completing a four-timer at Lingfield.
Moore is only usually required to do the steering in his role as stable jockey to Aidan O’brien but he was made to graft to win with Ahdab, Gurkha Girl, Crackling and Convertible for much lesser rewards at the Surrey venue.
As usual, the three-times champion played down his achievements but revealed he is now after bigger fish in the Saudi Cup, the world’s most valuable race at $20m.
Moore is expected to be reunited with Bangkok in the Middle East.
He partnered the colt to victory at Lingfield in last
Saturday’s Winter Derby Trial for Andrew Balding.
Yesterday Frankie Dettori was booked to partner the Charlie Fellowes-trained Prince Of Arran, who has been placed in the last three Melbourne Cups, at the same
meeting. “We’ve got Frankie up, which will be interesting,” said Fellowes.
“He’s never ridden him before, but you couldn’t have a better jockey in the plate.”
The monster gamble on the Charles Byrnes-trained Rough
Terain, 40-1 to 2-1, came unstuck when the gelding fell at the last hurdle when beaten at Naas.
Byrnes is playing with fire as he is currently appealing after receiving a six-month ban handed out after his runner Viking Hoard was found to have tested positive for an illegal substance.
Earlier on the card, it was business as usual forwillie Mullins when his two odds-on shots, Gentleman De Mee and Elimay, won.
Elimay is now course for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
Prospects of today’s meeting at Exeter going ahead are not encouraging with an 8.30am inspection taking place.
But tomorrow’s rearranged meeting atwarwick is expected to pass today’s 3pm inspection.