Sweet victory for Shirreffs

Boost for Zenyatta as stablemate clinches Ladies Classic

Last updated: 7th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sweet victory for Shirreffs

Life Is Sweet

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Life Is Sweet struck in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic at Santa Anita, closing day one with a scintillating success for trainer John Shirreffs.

The handler clinched victory in the race 12 months ago with Zenyatta, who this year heads for the Classic on Saturday night in a bid to extend her winning run to 13.

But Life Is Sweet proved a magnificent deputy on Friday night under Garrett Gomez, who outflanked his rivals with a clinical defeat of Mushka.

Godolphin's Music Note finished third, while John Gosden's Rainbow View was slightly disappointing in fifth.

Cocoa Beach, Godolphin's second representative, claimed sixth spot.

"We were just hoping she ran liked she did in the winter," Shirreffs said. "She really is a great filly.

"Zenyatta is Zenyatta, but Life Is Sweet is a really great filly."

Owner Marty Wygood added: "It's just a great feeling and John has done a great job with her.

"Her sister (Sweet Catomine) won at the Breeders' Cup and for her to do the same, you just can't put it into words."

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