Dubai: Paddy’s Day, a horse who jockey Pat Dobbs said was absolutely thriving in Dubai, picked up a valuable second Group race victory at the Dubai World Cup Carnival when comfortably landing the Group 2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah, sponsored by Jaguar XF.
The two-time American Purebred Arabian of the Year at the annual Darley Awards, Paddy’s Day scored by 1 ¼ lengths from Cakouet De Bozouls, the mount of Silvester De Sousa.
The runner-up had actually finished second behind AF Ak Sajanjle, ridden by Richard Mullen, but the results were reversed following a Stewards inquiry.
Settled at the back of the six-horse field for most of the 1,600 metre trip run on a fast dirt track at Meydan Racecourse, the seven-year-old Paddy’s Day made smooth progress inside the final three furlongs to comfortably go past the front pair of AF Al Sajanjle and Cakouet De Bozouls and win in impressive fashion.
“He didn’t travel as well as he did the other night,” said Dobbs. “I was struggling a bit at the final turn, but when I gave him a squeeze he picked up quick and got to them quite easily.
“He has had plenty of races so he knows the game well.”
Paddy’s Day, who is owned by Quarter Moon Racing, appears to have booked a ticket to the Dubai Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup night on March 31.
Asked about how he will handle the extra distance of the $1 million Classic (2000m) Dobbs said: “He’s getting better every week and he a lot more healthy than he was. He’s thriving out here so I don’t see any problem.”
Paddy’s Day has won twice in five UAE starts, including one turf at Abu Dhabi. In 2017 he won the prestigious Horse of the Year Trophy as well as Best Older Horse at the 30th annual Darley Awards in California having lifted the prize the previous year as well following an outstanding season.
Meanwhile Godolphin’s Best Solution brushed aside a defeat to French raider Golden Wood in a handicap early in the Carnival, when producing an imperious performance to win the Jaguar F-Type handicap.
The sixth meeting of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival, featuring the $250,000 UAE 2,000 Guineas, the colt’s Classic.
Al Tayer Motors, a Pillar Partner, of racing at Meydan, sponsored the full card of seven races.
