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| Staff Writer |
Thursday evening’s fourth meeting of the 2021 Dubai World Cup Carnival was highlighted by the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 sponsored by Emirates Airlines and Bahraini Fawzi Nass saddled the winner, Salute The Soldier, under a majestic ride from Adrie de Vries.
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Group 2 $293,000 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (1900m D)
Capezzano and Mickael Barzalona set out to try and make every post a winning one, but with De Vries never too far away before closing to within hailing distance leaving the back straight.
A duel developed throughout the first part of the straight before Capezzano faltered, leaving Salute The Soldier with a clear advantage and one he was never likely to relinquish with his Dutch jockey sporting the red silks of Victorious. Barzalona’s mount was passed by eventual runner-up Thegreatcollection and was then denied third, in the final strides, by Ajuste Fiscal. That pair ran on from the back but never looked likely to deny De Vries. A 6YO gelded son of Sepoy, Nass’ charge was registering a third carnival success after a pair last year, in a 1600m turf handicap and then, over the same trip but on dirt, Super Saturday’s Gr.3 Burj Nahaar.
Group 2 $163,000 Al Rashidiya (1800mT)
Over 1800m, the turf highlight was the Gr.2 Al Rashidiya sponsored by emirates.com and only seven went post with, as it transpired, very few able to get involved.
Mickael Barzalona was allowed a relatively easy lead aboard Court House, tracked by Cap Francais with William Buick and Zakouski settled in third, taking the shortest route, sticking to the rail. Barzalona kicked at the top of the straight, Cap Francais could not respond and started to drop away, briefly leaving Buick with nowhere to go. However, once he had racing room, Zakouski always looked likely to gather in Court House, which he did just inside the final 200m. In doing so, he completed trebles for Buick, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.
Group 2 $36,000 Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA 1600m D)
The curtain raiser and only Purebred Arabian race on the card, the 1600m Group Mazrat Al Ruwayah sponsored by Arabian Adventures, attracted a fascinating field of 11, but, once Tadhg O’Shea sent RB Money To Burn to the front entering the home straight, there was only going to be one winner.
Saddled by Eric Lemartinel for Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan, the 6YO mare was bouncing back to winning ways, recording her first success since early January last year when, over 1600m dirt course and distance, landing the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1. She has now won four of her six starts on dirt, with a pair of turf victories, from five runs, giving her an impressive CV. On a mount renowned as a trailblazer, O’Shea was happy to bide his time, settling the mare behind RB Kinetic, before setting sail for home about 600m out, settling the race in a few strides.
A capacity field of 16 faced the starter in a 2410m turf handicap, the Emirates SkyCargo, with Star Safari, one of eight Godolphin runners in the field, snatching the spoils with challenge timed to perfection by William Buick, sporting a distinguishing pink cap. Turning for home nearer last than first, Buick decided to avoid any potential traffic problems and was happy to pull wide, tracked by Antonio Fresu and Away He Goes.
Meanwhile, up front, Saqqara King, High End, Brilliant Light, Recordman and Al Dabaran were among those who threatened at some stage, but none had an answer to Buick’s mount who led in the final 75m, followed through by Away He Goes who snatched second from Brilliant Light, Recordman, High End and Saqqara King.
Curated from press release by Dubai Racing Club/ Emirates Racing
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DWCC 4 2021 |