DUBAI // Solow will head to Royal Ascot after an impressive victory in the US$6 million (Dh22m) Dubai Turf over The Grey Gatsby, the French Derby and Irish Champions Stakes winner.
“If we do well here it will be Royal Ascot next, then the States at the back end of the year,” his trainer Freddy Head had said before the race, and afterwards the Frenchman added: “He is a very good horse. But this was a big test, as it was his first Group 1 race.
“But I couldn’t have had him better and he showed what a good horse he is. (Jockey) Maxime (Guyon) rode him perfectly, very quiet, very cool. This is my first winner in Dubai, it’s fabulous. He is one of the best I have trained.”
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He must have more than pleased his connections with the manner in which he won over the 1,800m trip.
Guyon had the grey gelded son of the 1997 Dubai World Cup winner Singspiel well-placed behind the first four horses until they turned for home.
Guyon then switched him around the wall of horses in front him and within a few strides had the race wrapped up. He even had the luxury of looking over his shoulder to celebrate before crossing the finishing line.
“That was unbelievable,” Guyon said. “We thought coming here that was very good horse and he was easy to ride.
“Good horses make the job easy. This is my first Group 1 in Dubai, so this is an honour. This is also my first Group 1 race since I have been contracted for the owners, and it is fabulous to win this.
“I had a great race. Before the race we didn’t know if there was pace or not, so the trainer told me if there is no one to go in front, you can go in front. But we went fast and I got a good position and he really had a great turn of foot and won very easily.”
The Grey Gatsby was hard to load. He had to be blindfolded and was last to go into the stalls, and that may have taken some momentum out of the grey son of Mastercraftsman.
Ryan Moore had him placed behind Solow for much of the trip, but the latter got the first run and The Grey Gatsby tried to go with him but did not have the legs on the night.
Kevin Ryan, the trainer of The Grey Gatsby, was gracious in defeat.
“I was delighted with him. The winner has won well but my horse has run a good race and he’ll come on for it,” he said.
“I’d say we could go on to the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh now, and hopefully then Royal Ascot.”
Euro Charline, the American raider under the Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira, set the early pace along with Farraaj (Oisin Murphy), Earnshaw (Mickael Barzalona) and Limario (Patrick Dobbs).
They all faded when the heat was on, with Mshawish under Frankie Dettori snatching third from Euro Charline.
apassela@thenational.ae
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