Dubai: Krypton Factor laid down a strong sprinting marker for the $2 million (Dh7.35 million) Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), sponsored by Gulf News on Dubai World Cup day, when he gave his trainer Fawzi Nass one of the highlights of his career with a compelling victory in the Mahab Al Shamal (G1) at Meydan racecourse yesterday.
The win marked an outstanding training feat by the Bahraini trainer/owner as the horse has only twice finished out of the money in nine starts at Meydan. Formerly trained by Sir Mark Prescott in the UK, the Kieren Fallown-ridden Krypton Factor scored by two and a half lengths from Hitchens, while August Rush ran on strongly for third, a half length back in third.
Hitchens, with Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa in the irons, looked a winner with 200m to go but once Fallon kicked for home, Krypton Factor responded with an amazing change of gears to win.
"He's tough little horse, this is his second win, now hopefully he'll continue," Fallon, who has now won two of his three Dubai World Cup Carnival races aboard Krypton Factor, said. "He gave me a good feel a couple of times today and he was going to win a long way out."
Nass, who has patiently endured four winless seasons in the UAE since he first came here in 2007-2008, said he was still learning things about Krypton Factor but was thrilled to win the race and would now aim him at the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 31.
"There's only one plan and that is the Dubai Golden Shaheen," said the trainer.
The Michael Halford-trained Invincible Ash will now be aimed at the Al Quoz Sprint (G2) on Dubai World Cup night after winning a thrilling renewal of the Meydan Sprint on the All-Weather track.
The seven-year-old daughter of top Irish stallion Invincible Spirit prevailed by a short-head from Sole Power, ridden by Johnny Murtagh for trainer Edward Lynam, with favourite Nocturnal Affair a half a length back in third and a short-head in front of Monsieur Joe.
"I was following Ryan (Moore/ Nocturnal Affair) and he brought me through into the race and she got there late on," the jockey said.
