G1 JEBEL HATTA, 1800m
Master of Hounds (Kevin Shea) wins the Jebel Hatta (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
It’s been a long time between drinks of water for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum’s Master of Hounds (Kingmambo), but the 4-year-old finally won for the second time in his career Saturday, leading from pillar to post to win the G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan.
Like the same card’s G2 Dubai City of Gold winner Mikhail Glinka (Ire) (Galileo{Ire}), Master of Hounds started out with Ballydoyle, and this time it is Mike de Kock who is reaping the rewards of that early tuition, as the bay put a string of near misses behind him here. Denied a clear run when third again behind stable companion Viscount Nelson (Giant’s Causeway) in the Feb. 16 G2 Al Fahidi Fort over a grassy mile last time, he was away smartly here and Kevin Shea opted to let him enjoy the lead. Unhurried on the front end, his earlystretch speed proved decisive, as City Style (City Zip) and the stable’s eyecatching number one Mutahadee (Ire) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) gradually ate into his advantage late on. “I had the widest draw this evening and we discussed making the running which has worked perfectly,” winning jockey Kevin Shea explained.
Winning owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, trainer Mike de Kock and jockey Kevin Shea accept the trophy for the Jebel Hatta (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
Third in the G1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October 2010, Master of Hounds ran sixth in the GII Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf the following month and warmed up for a tilt at the Kentucky Derby with a second in the G2 UAE Derby last March.
Fifth in the Run for the Roses’ itself, he dropped tamely out of the action in the GI Belmont S. and was subsequently acquired by the Mike de Kock stable for new owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa. Runner-up in the G3 Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge Jan. 12, he was a one-paced third in the second part of that series Feb.9 and left the impression on both occasions that holdup tactics compromised his chances. The decision now at hand is which big-night race to take in. “He is a very talented horse and has been running well at the Carnival. Whether it is the [G1 Dubai] World Cup or [G1 Dubai] Duty Free, he should run well in three weeks’ time,” jockey Kevin Shea added.
.
G1 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND 3, 2000m
Capponi (Ahmed Ajtebi) wins the Al Maktoum Challenge Round III (TB) (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
Despite his illustrious pedigree, Capponi had struggled to shine his light for the Mark Johnston stable two years ago and had only a Lingfield maiden win and handicap scores at Carlisle, York and Doncaster to boast about at the end of his sophomore campaign. After a no-show in a handicap on this card last year, the chestnut remained a work in progress for Mahmood Al Zarooni, and the perseverance of connections has paid off in spades, as he has found luminosity during this year’s Carnival.
After a return second in a 10-furlong handicap five days into the New Year, the homebred was twice successful in similar events on the Tapeta Jan. 26 and Feb. 23, showing battling qualities in the former and a slick front-running dash in the latter. That positivity was employed again here by Ahmed Ajtebi, as he raced in a clear second behind Treble Jig (Gone West) until taking over with three furlongs to race. With Silver Pond traveling smoothly in behind, he ground away and was comfortably clear as that rival and a luckless Prince Bishop started to tread water.
.
G2 DUBAI CITY OF GOLD 2410mT
Mikhail Glinka (Royston Ffrench) wins the Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored By Skywards (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
The former Ballydoyle runner and G3 Queen’s Vase winner Mikhail Glinka had not won since that two-mile contest in June 2010, but there was no denying him here as he made all under an enterprising ride from Royston Ffrench. Sometimes wayward at two despite a second in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud,he had been considered a live Epsom Derby contender, but missed the Blue Riband’ before returning to land the Royal Ascot marathon on his final start for Aidan O’Brien.
Syed Shaptakaev accepts the trophy on behalf of winning owner along with trainer Herman Brown and jockey Royston Ffrench for the Dubai City Of Gold (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
Under Herman Brown’s auspices, the bay ran respectably in a variety of contests during last year’s Carnival but looked to be losing his way until a revitalised effort when fitted with a visor for the first time when second to Simon de Montfort (Ire) (King’s Best) in a 10-furlong handicap on his latest outing here last Saturday. Traveling sweetly in the headgear after carving out a clear lead from the gates, he saw off the attentions of Campanologist upthe straight and kept up the pressure as closers Cavalryman and Songcraft made their plays.
.
G3 BURJ NAHAAR, 1600m
African Story (Lanfranco Dettori) wins the Burj Nahaar (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
African Story’s formative career was crafted by Andre Fabre, and he was introduced to pattern company last June when a staying-on fourth behind the star distaffers Sahpresa (Sahm) and Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the seven-furlong G3 Prix du Palais-Royal at Longchamp. Back over that course and distance a month later for another crack at the latter in the G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot, the post came a stride too early for him, as George Strawbridge’s filly held on by a fast-diminishing head. Signing off in Europe with a third when upped to a mile in Deauville’s G3 Prix Quincey in August, the chestnut made a successful Carnival debut, winning a seven-furlong handicap on the Tapeta Jan. 26 before his latest third in the Firebreak. In front early under Frankie Dettori before being handed a lead, he remained in prime striking position and, when given the command, regained the advantage with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining to score decisively from Snaafy. Heavily favored Musir raced in midfield to the final quarter, but could not summon the necessary finish and settled for a disappointing third.
.
G3 MAHAB AL SHIMAAL, 1200m
Krypton Factor (Kieren Fallon) wins the Mahab Al Shimaal (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
Beaten a short head by Hitchens in the Feb. 3. G3 Al Shindagha Sprint when last seen, Krypton Factor turned that form around under a determined Kieren Fallon ride to register an initial black-type success here. Campaigned by the wily Sir Mark Prescott at two, the dark bay was a prolific winner in nurseries before placing in the Listed Harry Rosebery S. at Ayr and Listed Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy. Third in last year’s G3 UAE 2000 Guineas for Fawzi Nass, he was on the shelf for 10 months following a third placing in a seven-furlong conditions event on turf at this venue. Runner-up on his belated return in a mile handicap Jan. 21, he was out again just five days later to record an impressive score over this trip on the Tapeta before losing out in a protracted duel with Hitchens last time. Settled wide just off the strong early pace set by Addictive Dream (Ire) (Kheleyf), he answered every call from his rider to wrest the lead from that rival with a furlong remaining and was beyond recall as Hitchens arrived on the scene.
.
AL BASTAKIYA (Listed) 1900m
Mickdaam (Christophe Soumillon) wins the Al Bastakiya (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
Coming here on the back of a solid second in the Feb. 9 G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, Mickdaam provided the opening salvo for the Mike de Kock stable on this Super Saturday with a game first black-type win. Formerly trained by Richard Fahey in Britain, the bay was off the mark at the third attempt with a promising display over seven furlongs at York in October. Only sixth on his debut for his new yard over that trip in the Jan. 12 UAE 2000 Guineas Trial conditions race on the Tapeta, he was denied a clear passage when a neck second to Kinglet (Kingmambo) in the main event last time.
Winning owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, trainer Mike de Kock and jockey Christophe Soumillon accept the trophy for the Al Bastakiya (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
Racing at the fore of the peloton in the wake of a pair of runaway leaders here, he was wound up by Christophe Soumillon on the final turn as Frankie Dettori tried to match his move on Counterglow. Working his way to the front passing the quarter pole, Mickdaam responded willingly to subdue that rival under hard driving and was safely clear, as Surfer earned himself a silver medal.
Saturday, Meydan, UAE
JEBEL HATTA G1, $300,000, Meydan, 3-10, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 1800mT, 1:51.96, gd.
1- MASTER OF HOUNDS, 126, c, 4, by Kingmambo – Silk and Scarlet (GB)(Sadler’s Wells); O-Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum; B-Silk and Scarlet Syndicate; T-Mike de Kock; J-Kevin Shea; $180,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 13-2-4-3, $790,878.
2 – City Style, 126, g, 6, City Zip–Brattothecore, by Katahaula County. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Stonerside Stable; T-Mahmood Al Zarooni;
3 – Mutahadee (Ire), 126, c, 4, Encosta de Lago (Aus)–Mosaique Bleue (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB). O-Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd; T-Mike de Kock;
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 3/4.
Also Ran: Secrecy (GB), Derbaas, Wigmore Hall (Ire), Albaasil (Ire), River Jetez (SAf), Presvis (GB), Dubawi Gold (GB), First City (GB), Pisco Sour, Rio de La Plata, Ibn Battuta.
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND 3 G1, $400,000, Meydan, 3-10, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 2000m (AWT), 2:03.05, stn.
1-CAPPONI (IRE), 126, h, 5, by Medicean (GB) – Nawaiet (Zilzal); O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Darley; T-Mahmood Al Zarooni; J-Ahmed Ajtebi;. Lifetime Record: 13-7-2-0,
2 – Silver Pond (Fr), 126, h, 5, Act One (GB)–Silver Fame, by Quest for Fame (GB). O-Saeed Nasser Al Romaithi; B-Haras du Quesnay; T-Doug Watson;.
3 – Prince Bishop (Ire), 126, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–North East Bay, by Prospect Bay. O-Godolphin; B-Thurso Ltd; T-Saeed bin Suroor;
Margins: 4, HF, 2.
Also Ran: Monterosso (GB), Richard’s Kid, Fly Down, Haatheq, Irish Flame (SAf), Al Shemali (GB), Treble Jig, Mendip, Bold Silvano (SAf), Biondetti, Green Destiny (Ire). Scratched: Spring of Fame, Jamr (GB), Submariner.
DUBAI CITY OF GOLD G2, $250,000, Meydan, 3-10, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 2410mT, 2:33.68, gd.
1 – MIKHAIL GLINKA (IRE), 126, h, 5, by Galileo (Ire) – Lady Karr (GB) (Mark of Esteem (Ire)) (250,000gns wnlg 07 TATDEC). O-Ramzan Kadyrov; B-Paulyn Ltd; T-Herman Brown; J-Royston Ffrench; Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, SW & GSP-Ire & G1SP-Fr, 21-4-4-2, $475,448.
2 – Cavalryman (GB), 126, h, 6, Halling–Silversword (Fr), by Highest Honor (Fr). O-Godolphin; B-Darley; T-Saeed bin Suroor;
(DH)-3 – Campanologist (Ire), 126, h, 7, Kingmambo–Ring of Music (GB), by Sadler’s Wells. O-SheikhHamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Darley;T-Saeed bin Suroor;
(DH)-3 – Songcraft (Ire), 123, g, 4, Singspiel (Ire)–Baya, by Nureyev. O-Godolphin; B-Darley; T-Saeed bin Suroor; $18,750.
Margins: 1, HF, (DH).
Also Ran: Zanzamar (SAf), Joshua Tree (Ire), Topclas (Fr), Shimraan (Fr), Viscount Nelson, Laajooj (Ire), Indian Days (GB), Dubai Prince (Ire), Bronze Cannon, Unusual Suspect, Once More Dubai, Kreem (GB).
BURJ NAHAAR G3, $200,000, Meydan, 3-10, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 1600m (AWT), 1:35.93, stn.
1-AFRICAN STORY (GB), 126, g, 5, by Pivotal (GB) – Blixen (Gone West); O-Godolphin; B-Darley; T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Frankie Dettori; Lifetime Record: MGSP-Fr, 11-4-3-3, $324,895.
2 – Snaafy, 126, h, 8, Kingmambo–Nafisah (Ire), by Lahib. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Farm LLC; T-Musabah Al Muhairi;
3 – Musir (Aus), 126, h, 6, Redoute’s Choice (Aus)–Dizzy de Lago (Aus), by Encosta de Lago (Aus). O/B-Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum; T-Mike de Kock; .
Margins: 4, SHD, 1HF. Odds: n/a.
Also Ran: Kavango (Ire), Le Drakkar (Aus), Vagabond Shoes (Ire), Rajsaman (Fr), Dysphonia (Aus), Sooraah (GB), Maraheb (GB), Jardim (Brz), Gitano Hernando (GB), Silver Ocean, Dux Scholar (GB). Scratched: Finjaan (GB), Primaeval (GB), Tertio Bloom (Swe).
MAHAB AL SHIMAAL G3, $200,000, Meydan, 3-10, NH/SH3yo/up, 1200m (AWT), 1:11.56, stn.
1-KRYPTON FACTOR (GB), 131, g, 4, by Kyllachy (GB) – Cool Question (GB) (Polar Falcon) (20,000gns yrl 09 TATOCT; 100,000gns HIT 10 TATHIT). O/T-Fawzi Abdulla Nass; B-Lady Fairhaven; J-Kieren Fallon; $120,000. Lifetime Record: MSPEng, 19-7-5-3, $453,659.
2 – Hitchens (Ire), 131, g, 7, Acclamation (GB)–Royal Fizz (Ire), by Royal Academy. O-Laurence O’Kane & Paul Murphy; B-Curragh Bloodstock Agency Ltd; T-David Barron;
3 – August Rush (SAf), 131, g, 6, Var–Bushgirl (Zim), by Huntingdale (Ire). O-N Smith, R Bruss, M Smurfit, G Chan & M Whittstock; B-Northfields Stud (Pty) Ltd; T-Herman Brown; .
Margins: 2HF, HF, 1. Odds: n/a.
Also Ran: Global City (Ire), Addictive Dream (Ire), Jaasoos (Ire), Alazeyab, Iver Bridge Lad (GB), Green Beret (Ire), Kanaf (Ire), Right to Dream (Ire), Ergiyas, Seachantach. Scratched: Dark Matter (Aus).
AL BASTAKIYA (Listed), $250,000, Meydan, 3-10, NH/SH3yo, 1900m (AWT), 1:59.76, stn.
1- MICKDAAM (IRE), 120, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) – Ribot’s Guest (Ire)(Be My Guest); O-Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum; B-Victor Stud Bloodstock Ltd; T-Mike de Kock; J-Christophe Soumillon; Lifetime Record: GSP-UAE, 6-2-1-1, $214,114.
2 – Surfer, 120, c, 3, Distorted Humor–Surf Club, by Ocean Crest. O-Zabeel Racing International Corp; B-Darley; T-Sateesh Seemar;
3 – Counterglow (Ire), 120, g, 3, Echo of Light (GB)–Quintellina (GB), by Robellino. O-Godolphin; B-Colin Kennedy; T-Mahmmod Al Zarooni;
Margins: 2 1/4, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: n/a.
Also Ran: Prepared (GB), Spoil the Fun (Fr), Cash Luck (Aus), Kinglet, Matusalen (Spa), Energia Dust (Brz), Noor Zabeel, Mary Fildes (Ire), Old Pal (Fr), Fiscal (GB). Scratched: Burano (Ire), Cody Maverick (Ire).
