Stripes stars for USA

American raider Diamond Stripes struck the first blow on Dubai World Cup night by battling gamely to win the Godolphin Mile.

Richard Dutrow jnr's five-year-old cut no ice behind Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic last October, but scrapped all the way to the line for Edgar Prado.

Kerrin McEvoy brought Godolphin's Elusive Warning wide into the straight and held every chance in the final furlong, but could not catch the 3-1 joint-second favourite.

Don Renato ran on for third at 100-1.

A delighted Prado said of Diamond Stripes' determined success: "He was very brave and fought very hard - he took to the track really well.

"The race developed beautifully for us as we planned to be close to the leaders.

"He broke really well and I just left him there nice and comfortable.

"He was challenged around the turn - I thought he wasn't going too well around the turn but at the top of the stretch he gave me 100%."

Dutrow was watching the race in Florida but his assistant, Michelle Nevin, said: "Edgar rode him really well and stuck to the plan brilliantly."

There was disappointment for McEvoy, though, who felt runner-up Elusive Warning endured trouble in running.

"If everything had gone right we would be have been a lot closer," said the Australian rider.

"We got a bump, which sent us wide, but he ran a great race."