Sarawak Rim exacts revenge on Martana in the Criadores, earns Breeders' Cup berth

The Remote filly representing Stud Los Melli had finished a distant second—beaten 9 lengths—by her rival in the Copa Bullrich, but this time around, she turned the tables with a sharp performance to prevail by a length

For Sarawak Rim, a sweet and top-level revenge over Martana / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

After Martana (Fortify) cruised to a 9-length romp over Sarawak Rim (Remote) in the G2 Clásico Arturo R. y Arturo Bullrich, few could have imagined the tables would turn under similar conditions in the Gran Premio Criadores (G1, 2000m, dirt). But turf is turf, and logic often takes a back seat.

This time, it was Sarawak Rim, carrying the silks of Stud Los Melli, who turned the script on its head to capture a career-defining win—one that came with two massive bonuses: a prize of 8,000,000 pesos for topping the Campeonato Palermo de Oro, and a guaranteed berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar, courtesy of the race’s spot in the “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

So how did Sarawak Rim reverse that decisive loss? The answer seemed to lie in the race dynamics. Martana, the heavy favorite, went straight to the front alongside Orpen Rimout (Remote), who would fade badly and finish last, setting up a punishing early pace that would take its toll.

Sitting off the speed in a perfect stalking position was William Pereyra, in the midst of a dream afternoon. He waited patiently, then pounced in the final straight, timing his run to perfection as Sarawak Rim surged past a tiring Martana to win by a length. The victory capped off a spectacular G1 treble on the card for Pereyra, who earlier had guided Gouverneur Morris’s offspring Roshita and Amor de Contramano to glory in the Jorge de Atucha and Montevideo, respectively.

Trained by Juan Saldivia—who also conditions Amor de Contramano—and bred by Haras Firmamento, Sarawak Rim is a granddaughter of the brilliant Sarawak (Salt Marsh), once a standout sprinter for La Quebrada. She now boasts 4 wins from 5 starts, with her only loss coming in the Bullrich.

Offers will surely rain down on the newly crowned Criadores heroine, a filly who, by all accounts, is just beginning to shine.