Jockey Olivier Doleuze says Rich Tapestry's Breeders' Cup flop was "too bad to be true" and hopes the gelding has come through unscathed.
Rich Tapestry was sent out a heavily backed 2-1 favourite on the United States tote for the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint, but finished a tailed off last, 20 lengths from the winner Work All Week.
Doleuze had the six-year-old in a perfect position in the middle stages, but when the Frenchman asked the gelding for an effort, he said "there was nothing there."
"He just never felt right and that was too bad to be true," he said. "I think it was more than just the kickback bothering him."
Devastated trainer Michael Chang Chun-wai could offer little more than a "sorry" as he reported back to the owners.
"Obviously, that isn't his best," Chang said.
At the front of the pack, Illinois-bred Work All Week just had enough in hand to hold off last year's winner Secret Circle, with Private Zone in third.
