Dubai: Musir, who created such a favourable impression when he won the UAE Guineas and Derby in his Classic years, was in the spotlight ago when running out an impressive winner of the Group 2 Al Rashidiya at Meydan racecourse on Thursday night.

The $200,000 contest, which is one of the prep races for the $5million Dubai Duty Free (Group 1) on Dubai World Cup night, was greatly enhanced by the inclusion of top contenders like Luca Cumani’s Presvis, who was an emphatic winner of the big race itself last season. But it was Musir who totally dominated proceedings under big-race jockey Christophe Soumillion to post a convincing one length victory over Godolphin’s City Style.

His performance was a true reflection of his ability as he stayed on well to win despite the slow pace in which the race was run. He will clearly come on a bundle for that run and looks to be one of the favourites heading into the Dubai Duty Free on March 31.
Soumillon certainly rates his chances high and said: “Today again he give us a great impression. Last time he won very easily, but the field was not as strong as today.
“The way he just jumped out, settled in the race and quickened in the straight shows he is one of the big ones for the World Cup night so I’m very happy and proud for all the team.

“Last year he wasn’t as good as this year, he had some problems, but he’s much better (this year), he’s moving much better and everybody knows it in the stable. This horse is now our main hope, together with Bold Silvano and we have to put them on ice, in cotton (wool) and save them for the big races to make sure that everything runs smooth for them and we will be more lucky this year.”

Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour helped himself to another Dubai World Cup Carnival double when he scored with African Story in the Dubai Duty Free Foundation Handicap and Quit Wit in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
His Godolphin workmate Mahmoud Al Zarouni was not denied a share of the spotlight when he saddled the winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap with Capponi.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s Steven Burridge continued his rich vein of form when he scored his fourth victory at the Carnival when Dark Matter struck for the second time when posting a short-head victory over Doug Watson’s UAE debutant Albaasil in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap.

Race results

  • Race 1. Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise (TB Handicap) 1200m (All-Weather):
  • 1. Krypton Factor (F Nass) Kieren Fallon; 2. Ariete Arrollador; 3. The Reaper; 4. Rock Jock.
  • Distances: 3.5Lengths, 0.5L, 1.75L. Time: 1:10.51secs.
  •  
  • Race 2. Dubai Duty Free Foundation (TB Handicap) 1400m (All-Weather):
  • 1. African Story (S Bin Surour) Frankie Dettori; 2. Barbecue Eddie; 3. Silver Ocean; 4. Spectacle Du Mars.
  • Distances: 1Length, 2L, 1L. Time: 1:23.65secs.
  •  
  • Race 3. Dubai Duty Free Handicap (TB Handicap) 1400m (Turf):
  • 1. Dark Matter (S Burridge) Ted Durcan; 2. Albaasil; 3. Time Prisoner; 4. Otaared.
  • Distances: Short Head, Neck, 2Lenghts. Time: 1:25.51secs.
  •  
  • Race 4. Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire (TB HandicaP 1900m (All-Weather):
  • 1. Capponi (M Al Zarouni) Frankie Dettori; 2. Sarrsar; 3. Nationalism; 4. Maraheb.
  • Distances: Short Head, 6.5Lenghts, Short Head. Time: 1:56.08secs.
  •  
  • Race 5. Al Rashidiya (Group 2) Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (TB ) 1800m (Turf):
  • 1. Musir (M de Kock) Christophe Soumillon; 2. City Style; 3. Marcet; 4. Trois Rois.
  • Distances: 1Length, 3.5L, 1.25L. Time: 1:54.00secs.
  •  
  • Race 6. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (TB HandicaP 2000m (Turf):
  • 1. Quick Wit (S Bin Surour) Sivestre de Souza; 2. Fallen Idol; 3. Al Shemali; 4. Manjakani.
  • Distances: 2.5Length, Short head. Time: 2:04.89secs.