Date posted January 29, 2010 | Posted by Michele Cullen | Filed under
Racing and Breeding,
Staff FavouritesMelbourne, Vic (Jan 29th, 2010) - Dubai’s new state-of-the art racing facility, Meydan was opened last night with the running of the $200,000 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (UAE –G3) and it went to Gloria de Campeo (Impression – Audacity by Clackson) who rallied boldly late near the rail to score in a driving finish. The Godolphin operation sent out Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song), who was having his first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. The winner, had been sidelined since his unplaced run in the Grade 1 Arlington Million behind Gio Ponti and was also quick to jump and went forward early to set the tempo.
Joined by Ocean’s Minstrel (Pivotal) and turning for home, Midshipman appeared to be travelling the best of the trio, as Gloria de Campeao began to rally. Midshipman took command his advantage was short-lived as Forgotten Voice (Danehill Dancer) came charging from the clouds for the runners-up cheque just a half-length adrift of the winner. Consul General was third another 2-3/4 lengths away.
The win took Gloria de Campeao’s record to eight wins and seven placing’s from his 22 career starts with earnings of more than AU$3.9million.
Winner of last year’s Singapore Airlines International Cup (Sin-G1) on the turf at Kranji, the seven-year-old bay is the second winner at the highest level for his dam, Audacity. The other is Alucard (by Patio de Naranjos) in Chile and they hail from the family of Argentinean Horses of the Year Uruguayo (by Pronto) as well as Chilean Mares of the Year Arabian Lady (by Iroko) and Mar de Kara (by Hussonet).
Of the other races during the evening the Australian bred and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum owned Raihana (by Elusive Quality) stamped herself as a top contender for the Dubai fillies’ classic races with a 3 1/4-length win in the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas Trial.
Raihana is out of the Sunday Silence mare Esubooh, a great grand daughter of the six-time group one winner, Emancipation (by Bletchingly).
Other thoroughbred winners on the card were Sir Gerry (by Carson City), Drunken Sailor (by Tendulkar), Leahurst (by Verglas) and Whispering Gallery (by Daylami).
