Dubai: At the age of eight, many thoroughbred racehorses are retired or past their best as a result of the high physical demands of their sport.
But every once in a while a heart-moving story emerges when it comes to the battle with growing old. In-form Emirati handler Salem Bin Ghadayer is the author of the latest chapter in an uplifting flat-racing narrative that has caught the imagination of every fan.
And Bin Ghadayer, who trains out of the Fazza Racing Stables owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, could not have chosen a bigger stage than the opening day of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival to woo his audience.
The hero of his story is Heavy Metal, an eight-year-old horse with a record of 55 career starts, who continues to endure and win race after race.
What’s more, the son of Darley stallion Exceed An Excel appears to be flourishing more this season, where he has recording a second successive victory, and perhaps his best ever, when storming home in imperious fashion to win a strong renewal of the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge (G3).
Having won on his seasonal appearance three weeks ago over the same course and distance in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile, he duplicated the feat under a confident ride by French ace Mickael Barzalona to comfortably have the measure of 2017 UAE Derby (Group 2) winner, Thunder Snow, ridden by multiple French champion Christophe Soumillon, for the highly successful Godolphin champion, Saeed Bin Surour.
Watching that performance, which has catapulted him into the big race picture, with both the Godolphin Mile (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 31 as possible targets, was none other than Shaikh Hamdan.
Heavy Metal made the most of his low draw in stall two, to grab the rail, a position he resolutely held on to for all of the 1600-metre trip, before gallantly changing gears in the home straight, to put the race to bed.
“These conditions really suit him and he has done nothing but improve, especially over the last year,” said a mighty pleased Barzalona. “He relishes this dirt surface and is showing on the track what he has displayed to us in his work at home in the mornings.
“He has always worked like a very good horse and has such a great, willing, attitude. He is easy to ride. We had a good draw and he broke well, so I was always going to go to the front and he enjoys those positive tactics.
“It has been a very good evening for the whole team and long may it continue throughout the year.”
Bin Ghadayer, who has saddled 12 winners this season, his best tally ever, was also pleased with the performance.
“We expected a big run from him today and he gave us that,” he said. “We knew there were some serious horses in the race, but we were confident.
“He may be eight-year-old but Heavy Metal does not know that. He runs like a much younger horse. Thankfully he’s fitter than ever and just loves the competition. He’s an amazing horse, who is probably in the best form of his life,” Bin Ghadayer added.
“We’ll wait and see how he comes out the race and then look at some nice races during the Carnival. Obviously, the aim will be Dubai World Cup night, but we won’t get carried away, just yet.”
British bookmaker Bet365 have introduced him into the World Cup market at 12/1 ahead of Thunder Snow, who has out to 14/1 from 8/1.
However, Godolphin handler Bin Surour, who trains Thunder Snow at his Dubai base just off Shaikh Zayed Road, was happy with the colt’s performance on his return to dirt following a disappointing run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse in the UK last October.
“We knew he would need the run as he’s only about 70 per cent ready,” said the Emirati, a multiple champion trainer at the Carnival.
“You have to be patient with horses like him. This is only the start of the year and we have a long season ahead of us. You don’t rush things. I was happy with what I saw and he will come on for that run.
“He’ll be a lot fitter and more ready when he runs next time and after that we’ll see where we go with him. But he’s a serious horse and we would like to think that he can win some races at the highest level.”
Soumillon concurred with Bin Surour and said: “He jumped out quite okay. I was quite happy with my position.
“For the distance today, with that pace, it was probably a bit short for him, but he finished the race quite well. It’s encouraging for the future. He gave me a good effort in the straight and he’s a horse who needs to be 100 per cent fit and wasn’t today.
“The big target is in the future in a few more weeks and we’re going to see much better next time.”
Earlier in the evening Bin Surour’s Benbatl delivered a top-drawer performance to win the $175,000 Singspiel Stakes (G3). Well-regarded by his trainer Benbatl, whose name means ‘Son of Hero’ in English, finished the race with plenty left in the tank.
“Saeed gave me an open book as how to ride him and they are a very straightforward team to ride for,” winning jockey Oisin Murphy said. “I just looked for a bit of cover and then when I asked him, he picked up very well. He was a bit keen early on but he tends to be and, if you look after the line, he was still running away. He is a very nice horse, progressive and is going to get better. I am very grateful for these opportunities on such nice horses on big nights, especially with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad here.”
