Dubai: The $5million Dubai Duty Free (Group 1), is renowned as one of the toughest races to win on the Dubai World Cup card because of the high-quality international field it traditionally attracts, but a first-season Emirati pairing on Saturday showed how it is done.
Ahmad Ajtebi, who only became a full professional jockey in January this season, conjured up a bold front-running effort on Italian multiple winner Gladiatorus to land the 1,777metre contest with ridiculous ease and give retaining trainer Mubarak Bin Shafya a night to remember.
The imposing four-year-old son of Silic displayed massive pace to lead from the early stages of the racing and came charging down the inside turf track at Nad Al Sheba to score by 3.25 lengths from late finishing English raider Presvis, ridden by Ryan Moore.
Godolphin's Alexendros finished third, two lengths further back, while Australian hope Niconero claimed fourth place.
"It has nothing to do with me; he's proved he is absolutely the top horse in the world," said Ajtebi.
"There were 10 Group 1 winners running here and he made it. Exactly everything went according to plan and [he's proven his class], I pushed him the last time and he broke the track record here and I'm happy because he's got more [ability].
"The only thing I was worried about was the distance, but I didn't have to change my plan. When I came home it was the best feeling because he was relaxed and I didn't want to rush him unnecessarily. What has happened is enough."
Cumani was happy with Presvis, already a two-time winner in Dubai during the Carnival and said: "It was a huge step up, obviously this was probably the hottest race of the night because there were 10 Group 1 winners; multiple Group 1 winners running so it was a big ask.
"He has done well and we had no choice with the draw so we had to try and drop in straightaway."
Defending champion Jay Peg from South Africa, who defied a wide draw to win this race twelve months ago, could only finish 11th of 16.
But trainer Herman Brown was not running down his performance.
"We had him back to where we'd like him to be and we expected him to give a good account of himself," said the handler.
" It was a very strong field and a good race, but we're happy with him."
Paco Boy was seen as the horse who could provide England with a winner on the night but the Group 1 Prix de la Foret winner finished in the middle of the field.
"He's very good horse with a very good kick," said his trainer Richard Hannon. "He was going further than before, but we had to take the chance. [The rain was there] but it was only perfect so no excuses with the rain."
Race 5. Dubai Duty Free (Group 1)
Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free
Thoroughbreds (3yo +)
Purse: $5million
Distance: 1,777m (8.8f) Turf
1. GLADIATORUS (trained by Mubarak Bin Shafya) ridden by Ahmad Ajtebi
2. PRESVIS (L Cumani) Ryan Moore
3. ALEXANDROS (Saeed Bin Surour) Michael Kinane
4. NICONERO (David Hayed) Craig Williams
Then came: Bankable, Archipenko, Vodka, Paco Boy, Tuesday Joy, Kip Deville, Jay Peg, Charlie Farnsbarns, Balius, Hyperbaric, Creachadoir, Lady Marian
Distances: 3.25lengths, 2, 3.
Time: 1min 46.92secs
Winner owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum and trained in Dubai.
