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Rewilding in Classic win

Frankie Dettori achieved a big-race double aboard Rewilding as Godolphin notched their third success of the evening with a new course record (2:29.01s) in the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic.

Laaheb, under Richards Hills, led the way from the stalls with a brisk break away from lane one, before Christophe Soumillion’s Japanese hopeful Rulership took up the running down the backstretch and around the final bend.

Those two were then joined by Michael Hill’s mount Redwood in a three-way tussle down the straight, but – just as it appeared as if Rulership was winning the argument – Dettori got to work and Rewilding duly overtook the opposition and was pulling even further away at the line.

Calvados Blues ran on for third, giving trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni the first and third-placed finishers in the race, and his two horses were separated by Hills’ Redwood.

“It was just a fantastic feeling,” an elated Dettori said. “He hit the flat spot at the top of the stretch, but – once we worked through the gears – he ran on well.”

Hills was more than satisfied as well with Redwood’s trip, adding: “It was a huge run from my horse. I had to work to hold position on the turn, but I think there are more big races in this horse. Frankie’s horse is very good.”

Meanwhile, Ahmed Ajtebi’s ride on Calvados Blues was not without its difficulties, with the homegrown hope admitting afterwards: “Some slow horses in front of me stopped and I didn’t want to push Frankie (Dettori) out because we’re a team. I tried to go inside, but they close the gap on me.”

Laaheb held on gamely for fourth, in front of France’s Chinchon and the fatigued Rulership back in sixth.

Result: Race Seven 8.50pm Thoroughbreds Dubai Sheema Classic (Group-1) 2,410m (a12f), sponsored by China Guangsha. Purse: $5 million: 1. Rewilding (Mahmoud Al Zarooni) Frankie Dettori. 2. Redwood (Barry Hills) Michael Hills. 3. Calvados Blues (Mahmoud Al Zarooni) Ahmed Ajtebi. Distances: Three and a quarter lengths/Three and a half lengths.

alex@khaleejtimes.com