QREC general manager Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi with Dubday jockey L Dettori and trainer J Gazzali at Meydan racecourse in Dubai. PICTURES: Juhaim

 

By Chris Hoover/Dubai


Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Makthoum  owned Manark (Mahabb-Mendra) lifted the Dubai Kahayla Classic easier than verdict and in the process smashed the course record for 2000 metres on the sand track of Meydan in Dubai yesterday. Manark clocked two minutes 16.30 seconds and won by a widening margin of two and a quarter length from Valiant Boy.
Manark provided trainer Erwan Charpy and jockey Dane O’Neill their first Kahayla Classic success and a seventh for its owner. It was a classy performance from the six year old Mahabb progeny and one that truly places him in a league of his own.
In keeping with the script, O’Neil and Manark took over the running early in the race and set a cracking pace with the American challenger Valiant Boy in tow. Qatar’s Djainka Des Forges (Richard Mullen up) lay in mid bunch and bidding for his time to make the move. The other contender from Qatar, Taraf was unable to keep pace and looked a lost cause long way from home.
Just after the turning for home, O’Neil unleashed a scintillating gallop and took command of the proceedings. A couple of left-handed reminders were enough to set the colt alight as he raised a stupendous gallop and O’Neil rode him out hands-and-heels in the final 100 metres. Raaziq came with a late dash to finish third ahead of Djainka Des Forges.
Charpy’s other fancied runner, Versac PY dropped out of the race halfway through to finish a distance behind the winner. This was indeed an amazing performance by Manark who was running in a 10 furlong race for the first time. And to win the way he did with a fantastic front-running tactic which blew the field off. He looks to be a star in the making and will be much heard of in the classics in Europe as well.
“We quietly fancied his chances after his impressive win over 1,400m in only his second local start,” said trainer Charpy, who was left devastated two years ago when Versac PY got beat in a  by close finish by Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mamun Monlau in 2013.“My only concern was if he will stay the trip. And he proved that tonight with a brilliant effort. We were drawn three on a lively track so I told O’Neil not to worry if he made the running. I couldn’t relax until the line because I’ve been close before and caught in the final strides.”
It has been a ‘dream come true’ for Charpy who took his first win on Dubai World Cup after 20 years. “It has been a ‘dream come true’ for me to win on the big race day. The last time I won a race on the Dubai World Cup card was 20 years ago when I won the Gulf News Cup,” said a jubilant Charpy.
“It would have been nice to win this race with Versac PY, as he had something to prove here. But I am happy for this one as he is the horse of the future. Manark is one of those who will determine our future,” added the veteran trainer. Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario, who chased the winner to the line aboard Valiant Boy, said: “I got blocked at one stage and wanted to be closer to the pace but it didn’t happen. He’s run great and faced the kickback perfectly. It was a good race and the winner was too good on the day.”
Djainka Des Forges rider Richard Mullen said. “She travelled nicely and had a smashing run. Just when I wanted her to lengthen, she just started to scramble. She will be better off next year.” The other Qatari challenger Taraf finished 11th in a field of 15 and her jockey Harry Bentley felt that the surface might not have suited the filly. “I was off the bridle 800 metres out and struggling. The surface might have been a concern but she has had a long season. She will come back stronger next season.”
Al Shaqab Racing’s Dubday which was essaying the 3,200 metres trip for the first time, finished a notable fifth to Brown Panther in the Tayer Motors Dubai Gold Cup. Brown Panther hit the target for breeder and co-owner Michael Owen with a convincing victory.   Jockey Richard Kingscote always had the Tom Dascombe-trained seven-year-old Brown Panther in a prominent position as Mushreq made the running in the two-mile contest.
Knowing he was on a stout stayer, Kingscote set sail for home three furlongs out and quickly went several lengths clear. Ahzeemah and Star Empire gave chase, but it was a lost cause as Brown Panther galloped with authority all the way to the line.
Owen said: ‘He’s been a superstar from day one and Dascombe has trained him to perfection. He always jumps really out well of the traps and he found himself right up there. The rest is history, as they say. He’s a special horse. I’ll probably never replace a horse like this. It’s been an amazing story.’
Along with Owen, another former England striker Peter Crouch was also in Dubai to celebrate the racing with his wife Abbey Clancy. Kingscote, who has only just recovered from serious injuries, said: ‘The boss has been keen to get him relaxed and he’s done well. I’m really pleased with him. He travelled great. He got me in a nice position and looked after me the whole way round. It means a lot to be here and it’s the biggest win of my career.”
Dubday jockey Frankie Dettori said. “My trip was okay. It was the first time at two miles. So it was a good effort.”
The other Qatari challenger Mshawish, who overcame a minor niggle did well to finish third in the Dubai Turf. Jockey Maxime Guyon guided Wertheimer and Frere’s homebred Solow to a commanding score in the $6 million contest, giving trainer Freddy Head his first victory in Dubai. “He’s a great horse; improving all the time. This was his biggest test in his first group I races,” trainer Head said.
Jockey Guyon was delighted with the victory of Solow. “That was unbelievable. We thought coming here that he was avery good horse and he was easy to ride. Good horses make this job easy. This is my first Group I in Dubai so this win is an honour.”
Jockey Dettori was happy with the performance of Mshawish. “It was a good race. He was a bit fresh as he had three days in the box with a sore foot. He ran a good third and I am delighted with his performance.”
When asked if Mshawish would have done better if not for the injury, Dettori said. “Yes, second, but I do not think we would have caught the winner.”


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