Al Kurdi, Moore land historic wins

Mazin Al Kurdi, who has found Jebel Ali Racecourse a happy hunting ground this season, again played a starring role yesterday when winning his first Listed race in the UAE at the Emirates Airline race day.

The former champion Syrian trainer, successful with Conflict in the Tawi Murghem (Prestige) at Nad Al Sheba last week, was on the mark this time with Clodion in the Dh350,000 Jebel Ali Stakes.

The winner was given a brilliant ride by 19-year-old Ryan Moore, the apprentice find of the season in England, who gained his sixth victory in the UAE. Moore created a slice of racing history as well by becoming the first apprentice to win a Pattern race in the UAE.

An apprentice with Wiltshire-based trainer Richard Hannon, Moore rode a most confident race, threading his way through the pack to take the lead inside the final furlong and win by three and a quarter lengths from Dubai World, with Pick Six favourite West Order a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Clodion's manner of winning had Mazin Al Kurdi plotting his next move with the Irish-bred six-year-old gelding.

"The Dubai Sheema Classic in March will be our long-term goal with the horse and possibly the Dubai City of Gold before that," said Al Kurdi, who went top of the trainer's standings with this victory.

"He's a nice horse and has been training well. I really like to run him on turf, but after the way he handled the Jebel Ali track two weeks ago I wanted to bring him back for this race."

Moore, who made a fairytale start to his UAE campaign with a three-timer on opening night said: "The treble on opening night was great but things quietened down a bit after that so it is good to get back with a win in a race like this."

The teenager, who adopts a copybook flat-backed racing style, said he wasn't concerned when Clodion trailed the 14-runner field early in the race.

"He was always travelling well and he had them covered a fair way from home."