Musir Flies High at Racing Carnival

Musir, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, smashed a quality field of 13 runners to land the UAE 2000 Guineas in the fifth round of the ongoing Dubai International Racing Carnival.

By Hisham Al Gizouli

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Published: Sat 20 Feb 2010, 1:01 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 5:22 AM

The well-bred Australian raced in the silks of Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al maktoum to earn South African trainer Mike de Kock his fourth Guineas title. De Kock won the crown with Victory Moon, Asiatic Boy and Honor Devil before. Musir broke well and settled in the centre of the track before the Frenchman produced to challenge in mid division and sprinted home to win easily from the Godolphin colt Frozen Power under Ahmed Ajtebi.

Racing from stall 14, Soumillon said he was concerned about the wide draw but during the race he was always happy. “He has a real touch of class and these horses are a pleasure to ride,” Soumillon said later. Meanwhile, Tadhg O’Shea partnered Nirwan to win the opening 2200m Group One Purebred Arabian version of the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge.

The Doug Watson-trained eight-year-old Dormane horse rallied very strongly under pressure to lead from stable companion Paris Gagner under William Supple and held on courageously close home. Doug Watson said: “It’s great to win these races and we have done well in this race in the past.”

Ahmed Ajtebi, who landed a double, rode Allybar to glory in the Thoroughbred version of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round II, a Group Three contest over 1900m. Settled in rear behind a sedate gallop, Ajtebi took his mount wide turning for home before making smooth progress to lead 200m out.

Once in front they were never going to be caught and trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: “He is a horse we like and I think we will come back for the third round of the Maktoum Challenge on Super Thursday.”

Ajtebi added: “I was always quite happy and he ran on very well when I asked him to win his race.”

Trainer and jockey then won the concluding 1600m handicap with Calming Influence, who was actually a fourth winner on the night for Bin Suroor and Godolphin. Frankie Dettori was in the saddle on Emirates Champion who won the 2200m handicap and Dettori said: “He ran well first time and I was always happy throughout the race.”

The jockey was back in the winner’s enclosure after the 1400m handicap having partnered Sirocco Breeze to a comfortable success. Last at halfway, the pair surged clear 200m out to win easily.

Trainer Bin Suroor explained: “We thought he would run better last time but was in good form coming into the race and he quickened nicely.”

The first Thoroughbred race of the night, a 1200m handicap, was won by Kevin Shea on the De Kock-trained Frosty Secret who was never far off the pace and quickened clear 300m out. De Kock said: “He is a great Carnival horse and always runs his race.”

Leahurst was an impressive winner on the opening night of the Carnival but even more son in the 1200m handicap under an ultra confident Ryan Moore who said: “He is a nice, improving young horse. I was always confident.”

hisham@khaleejtimes.com


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