Sport | Horse Racing
Staking a claim
Mendip bounces back to his best form to win middle leg of Al Maktoum Challenge and trumpet his big-race credentials
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer
- Published: 00:00 February 11, 2012
- Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
- Mendip, ridden by big-race jockey Kieren Fallon, was an impressive winner of the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge, the feature race of Thursday night’s Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting at Meydan. Haatheq, the mount of Richard Hills, was runner-up.
Dubai: Godolphin's Mendip has once again staked his claim as a big-race contender after posting a rousing comeback win in the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on Thursday night.
A five-year-old American bred by Harlan's Holiday, Mendip emphasised his fondness for the racecourse's all-weather track with a fifth win on the surface.
Two of those came during his Classic years in 2010 and two more the following year, before he ran sixth behind Presvis when switched to turf for the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free.
Making his second start of the season on the artificial surface following a decent fourth-placed effort behind Musir in Round One of the Al Maktoum Challenge four weeks ago, Mendip looked to be close to his best with a length-and-a-half victory over the unfancied Haatheq in the $250,000 race on Thursday night.
With Godolphin's stable jockey Frankie Dettori opting to partner big hope Dubai Prince, who could finish no better than sixth, former British champion jockey Kieren Fallon cashed in on the spare ride for Saeed Bin Surour's would-be star and stole the thunder.
"He's a very, very good horse, a beautiful horse to ride," said the Irishman. "He has a nice balance and does what's required of him when you ask the question.
"Obviously he was right for tonight and has proved that with the way he went through the field. I actually got there too soon but he wanted to go.
"He did it a lot easier than it looks - I think he has won today with a quite bit in hand."
Bin Surour, who has made it a habit of winning the Al Maktoum Challenge round two, this being his eighth success in the race, was clearly delighted with Mendip's return to form.
Although he would not commit to Mendip's future plans, he did indicate that the natural course would be to run him in the third and final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge before he could decide what the next big step could be.
"I'm very impressed with his performance today, but we will have to wait and see how he comes out of the race before we can plan.
"I think the extra distance helped him today, compared to the first round, and he really likes the surface. Perhaps we might look at round third and then decide. We would like to take it one step at a time with him. But yes, he's very nice horse and looks like he's getting to his best."
British bookmakers took note of Mendip's performance and cut his odds to 16/1 for the Dubai World Cup (from 20), and eased out Mike De Kock's Bold Silvan to 12/1 (from 6/1) following his fourth place finish in the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes which was also won by Bin Surour's Sandagiyr at odds of 25/1.
Bin Surour ‘s Moon Ballad was the only horse to complete the Al Maktoum Challenge (Rd 2) and Dubai World Cup double when successful back in 2003.
The Godolphin handler was also completing a huge four-timer on the night, with additional wins by Singcraft and Spring of Fame.
Bin Surour's workmate, Mahmoud Al Zarouni, was not denied his share of the spotlight as he won the UAE 2000 Guineas with Kinglet to complete a Classic double. Two week earlier he saddled Gamilati to win the 1000 Guineas.
"It is obviously great to complete the Guineas double and Mickael gave him a very good ride," said the Emirati handler.
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