Dubai World Cup undercard: Raging Torrent scores for O'Neill

Raging Torrent, making his first start since the Grade 1 Malibu at Satnta Anitam, provided trainer Doug O'Neill a second consecutive running of the Godolphin Mile and third overall, turning away the pace-pressing Mufasa with less than 400 metres to travel before easily holding off France's King Gold and Kazu Petrin for Japan.

It was an eighth Godolphin Mile for the legendary Frankie Dettori and a 24th winner at the Dubai World Cup meeting, double the number of any of his peers.

Smoothly into stride from a middle gate, the 4-year-old colt soon led but was joined to his outside by American import Mufasa, making his UAE debut for Bhupat Seemar and RRR Racing, who won this event two years ago with Isolate.

Settled into a nice rhythm through the middle sections, Raging Torrent was put to a drive on the swing for home, looked to be going the better of the two fighting out the fractions entering the straight and pinched a winning break to score comfortably in 1:36.69. He paid $9.90 in the pari-mutuel World Pool.

Dettori commented: "He’s such a lovely horse and he did the rest. You need the horse to lead like he did, he was quick away and I was able to do my own fractions. In fairness, he’s always been a sprinter in America. So I was thinking of that, I didn’t want to kick too early."

Added O'Neill: “I was confident, but that’s why you run these races, you never know. He had a good, clean break, got the lead, got a little breather mid-race. Speed was always going to be his strength. I’m on cloud nine and I’ve got to thank everyone here."

Dettori, reflecting on his Dubai record, said: "Eight Godolphin Miles, that’s a hell of a record. I think it’s fair to say I grew up here. It’s great satisfaction coming back and winning, and hopefully I can win the World Cup again.”

Dark Saffron stuns Shaheen; Straight No Chaser is 'mildly lame'

A masterful ride by Connor Beasley saw Dubai-based 3-year-old Dark Saffron cause a massive shock with his success in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

The presence of two 3-year-olds in the race for the first time since 2006 was already a talking point pre-race. Only five 3-year-olds had ever contested the Golden Shaheen before and only two of them were bred in the Northern Hemisphere: My Catch, 12th in 2014, and Dios Corrida, 11th in 2017.

Of the two, Japanese talent American Stage was considered the vastly superior chance, although neither were seen as likely to challenge defending champion Tuz or champion American sprinter Straight No Chaser.

It looked even less likely when Ahmad bin Harmash's Dark Saffron played up in the outside gate of 11, moments before the stalls opened. But Beasley managed to straighten his head at the right time and he bounced out fast and mustered speed quickly.

The two 3-year-olds led up early, and after the first furlong it was apparent that Straight No Chaser would not add Dubai success to his illustrious resume. Dan Blacker's charge was uncomfortable amongst horses with plenty of kickback in his face and was in trouble early on.

Afterward a stewards report said, "A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to be mildly lame in the left-fore leg. Blacker was advised that prior to the horse entering to race again, he must provide a certificate of fitness for Straight No Chaser."

The only horse able to stay in touch with the 3-year-olds was Tuz, who landed in the box seat and appeared likely to capitalize once they punctured. However, he also came under riding approaching the three-furlong mark and his bid for back to back wins appeared forlorn.

Tuz, though, is all heart and tried to rally up the rail. This is where Beasley's tactical masterpiece came to the fore as he shut the door on Tadhg O'Shea aboard Tuz on a number of occasions.

Nakatomi charged late, Tuz made ground when it was all over but Dark Saffron, with an eight-pound swing in the weights, was able to fend them off. He gave Beasley his second win of the night following First Class's Kahayla Classic success. Dark Saffron finished the six furlongs in 1:11.40 and paid $132.60 in the pari-mutuel World Pool.

Beasley admitted he was "a bit speechless," before paying tribute to his willing partner.

“He’s one of them, he’s just kept improving and he was in up against good competition on the turf. He’s got speed to burn and to do what he’s just done is incredible.

“It’s just a big relief. This is what it’s all about. We’ve got a good bunch of horses and to get a big winner like this on a night like this, it’s just fantastic.

“He’s got plenty of natural speed and it was probably a blessing being drawn out wide because I only had one option. The way he’s done it, it’s just fantastic.”

Straight No Chaser, winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in his last two starts, was never involved. Jockey John Velazquez said after the race, "He jumped, I asked him but he didn’t go. That’s not his style, his style is ‘come and get him’. At least if he lays close he’s fine, but he just didn’t even do that."

Soul Rush snipes Romantic Warrior in Dubai Turf

Soul Rush and Cristian Demuro broke the hearts of the global legion of Romantic Warrior fans as the Japanese challenger swooped late, leading in the very final stride of a pulsating edition of the Group 1 Dubai Turf.

Three years after the judge was unable to split Lord North and Panthalassa, a dead-heat looked an increasingly likely outcome as the judge studied fractions and pixels.

Eventually the number nine was called and Demuro punched the air as victory was confirmed.

Soul Rush is the epitome of the late-bloomer, having won his first Grade 1 in last season’s Mile Championship at the age of six.

Now trainer Yasutoshi Ikee has him in the form of his life, with this victory backing up an excellent second to Voyage Bubble in the Hong Kong Mile (G1).

Romantic Warrior broke smartly and James McDonald then enjoyed the perfect draft in second behind Japanese pacesetter Meisho Tabaru.

The world’s richest racehorse was sent to win his race turning in but never secured a decisive break on his pursuers, while all the time the eye was drawn to Soul Rush as he worked his way through rivals before engaging top gear in the final 200 metres.

Romantic Warrior appeared to lift again as he felt the presence of his rival and diving at the line both horses were at full stretch. Soul Rush stopped the timer in 1:45.84, and paid $28.50 in the pari-mutuel World Pool.

As the pair returned to be unsaddled and the tension mounted, Ikee congratulated Demuro, while apprehension was etched on McDonald’s face.

Japanese-trained horses have now won five of the last ten runnings of the Turf, while Ikee, a frequent flyer with horses like Orfevre and Satono Diamond down the years, was recording his most important success outside Japan.

In behind Maljoom flew late to complete the places, having been a long last down the back.

Demuro said: "Last year, I was beaten by a nose (on Namur, second to Facteur Cheval). This year, I win by a nose. The luck was with me today. It's as good a performance as he's ever produced, he beat the best horse in the world today. He travelled well and he fought until the end. I'm so happy.

"Last year, I thought I had won until the last second. I just waited until the number went up. This year, I was more sure that I had won but I didn't want to get ahead of myself. It is a special win because we are now part of the Romantic Warrior story; he doesn't lose many races, but today he found a good horse.

"Dubai World Cup night is the most special meeting. I'm very happy to come back here every year. I'm very lucky to get to ride some good horses every year and I've had some success here."

Nations Pride, a Charlie Appleby trainee who has won four Grade 1 races in North America, never threatened and ultimately finished tenth. "He missed the start and he was forced back," jockey William Buick said after the race. "We switched to Plan B and it didn’t suit him."

Danon Decile breaks through in Sheema Classic win

Danon Decile proved to be yet another emerging international superstar for Japan with a decisive victory in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

In a deep and constantly evolving event, last year’s Japanese Derby hero was given a sensible and patient ride by Keita Tosaki as the pace up front changed frequently.

At first it was Danon Decile’s compatriot Shin Emperor, the Japanese Derby third who has already established himself in the global arena and scored in Saudi Arabia last month, out in front before Godolphin’s defending champion Rebel’s Romance took over with around 1400m to go.

William Buick and Rebel’s Romance looked to have the race at their mercy turning into the home straight before Durezza threw down the first challenge with two furlongs remaining.

Tosaki, however, was beginning to gather momentum on Danon Decile and the handsome chestnut charged past the pair on what was only his tenth start and his first outside his homeland in a time of 2:27.05. Danon Decile paid $21.60 in the pari-mutuel World Pool.

French challenger Calandagan began his own run even later but closed through for second, a length and a quarter behind, with Durezza shading Rebel’s Romance for the minor placing.

It was an equally important win for Danon Decile's promising trainer, Shogo Yasuda, whose father Takayuki prepared the legendary sprinter-turned-sire Lord Kanaloa, while Tosaki had finished second in the 2021 Dubai World Cup on Chuwa Wizard.

"He's a very, very good horse," said Tosaki, three-time champion jockey in Japan. "There was huge pressure on me so it's fantastic to win this race.

"For the people watching at home in Japan so late, I am so happy, thank you so much."

Tosaki added: "He was excited before the race but he settled when he got into the stall. He ran a great race, travelled really well on the bridle.

"I expected him to run a similar race to the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and he did it.

"I knew the field was very strong but I thought Danon Decile was competitive. I am delighted we proved his ability here in Dubai.”

Believing earns 1st Group 1 in Al Quoz Sprint

Believing arrived in the nick of time to claim the first Group 1 victory of her career in a blistering Al Quoz Sprint.

During her career with George Boughey in Newmarket, the 5-year-old daughter of Mehmas has tested the patience of her team but has amassed an impressive collection of results including placed efforts at the highest level on all her three most recent starts in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, the Flying Five at the Curragh and on her most recent appearance in the Prix de l’Abbaye.

In December, she was bought for just over $4 million at Tattersalls and is now owned by a partnership between Coolmore and Resolute Racing.

For much of this event, it looked as if a smaller share of the prize-money might be the best she would manage again.

Japanese challenger Win Carnelian was dictating the pace under Kosei Miura and was in total control with about two furlongs remaining, although Believing and fellow British challenger Regional were just starting to emerge as the only dangers.

William Buick, a master at Meydan with nine Dubai World Cup night wins in the bag already including with the mighty Blue Point in this race back in 2019, was starting to get Believing rolling and she poked her head up the inside in the final few strides to strike by 0.68 lengths and in a sharp time of 1:07.77. She paid $12.00 in the pari-mutuel World Pool.

Win Carnelian hung on bravely for second, just ahead of Regional with the trio well clear of the remainder.

"George was really bullish about her before the race, her prep has been faultless," said Buick. "This is a lucky spare ride for me. Ryan (Moore) was meant to ride her, obviously he was in Australia this morning, I stepped in"

"The filly was very tough. She really deserved to to get that Group 1. She showed there what she's all about, she really knuckled down. Fair play to George in his team for having her in tip-top shape for tonight."

Believing was withdrawn before the start of the Breeders' Cup Sprint last November after giving trouble in the gate.

With Boughey and his partner at home awaiting the birth of their first child, assistant trainer Henry Morshead was on duty and said: "Her preparation into this has been very strong and her gate-work has been good all winter, which was a concern coming from Del Mar last time.

"But God she's tough, she really sticks her head down, she's a real testament to the hard work everyone puts in at home."

Morshead added: "It's hugely special and Coolmore are unbelievably straightforward to deal with. We're hugely honoured to have her in the yard this year as a 5-year-old."

According to a stewards' report published after the race Howdeepisyourlove, a Group 3 winner and multiple Group 1-placed in Hong Kong, dislocated his left foreleg after clipping with Marbaan near the 2 1/2-furlong mark. He pulled up and was transported to Dubai Equine Houspital, where he was euthanized after further examination.

Dubai Future turns back clock in Dubai Gold Cup

Saeed bin Suroor was back celebrating on Dubai World Cup night as his fragile 9-year-old stayer Dubai Future ran out a dominant winner of the Dubai Gold Cup.

Bin Suroor has won more runnings of the feature race than any other trainer but, like the Kahayla Classic’s winning trainer Doug Watson, has had a challenging season.

While once responsible for countless Godolphin luminaries and the preeminent World Cup hero Dubai Millennium, Bin Suroor is now operating with a considerably smaller string.

Yet the success of Dubai Future was the latest evidence of the trainer's skill and patience, as he has missed several periods of racing due to unsoundness.

The winner of the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3) last time off the back of a 427-day absence, Dubai Future showed age has yet to blunt his class by delivering a sweeping late run under Silvestre de Sousa.

Trawlerman and Double Major were in no hurry to lead the ten-runner contest in the early stages but the sedate tempo proved no obstacle to Dubai Future, who swiftly took closer order in the home straight.

Pulled to the outside of the field by De Sousa, Dubai Future swiftly advanced on the rail-runner Straight, Trawlerman, Double Major and Epic Poet and pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Dubai Future stopped the timer in 3:21.50 seconds for two miles over firm turf, and paid $11.40 to win in the pari-mutuel World Pool.

Like Bin Suroor, De Sousa has enjoyed some of his finest moments at Meydan as he landed the Dubai Turf aboard Sajjhaa in 2013 and Dubai World Cup on African Story in 2014.

Double Major held second place for France, while Britain’s Epic Poet finished third.

"Congratulations to Saeed, he got him spot on today and this sets the horse up for the season," said De Sousa. "I told Saeed last time he only cantered round, just to take the freshness out of him.

"Today my concern was just to get him relaxed and for the first half of the race I had him just the way I wanted. He was breathing well and relaxed and he just took me there. I'm delighted for His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) and thankful for having the opportunity to ride this horse."

Saeed Bin Suroor said, "He has improved this year, even though I know he's nine years old but this year he came to Dubai a month ago and I know the way to train him. I told Silvestre to keep him behind and the key is to keep him relaxed.

"He is a mile and a quarter or mile and a half horse but we tried him over a mile and six and now two miles and he's done well."

Of second-place Double Major jockey Maxime Guyon said,“He ran really good. Just into the first turn the horse behind me touched me a little bit so my horse was not comfortable and he just pulled a little bit. But he had a good turn of foot and he finished strong. He can win a Group 1 again this year."