Hong Kong raider Dynamic Blitz turned in a dominating performance in the Al Shindagha Sprint Sponsored by Etisalat (UAE-III), winning by 2 1/4-lengths Feb. 3 at Meydan Racecourse.
Ridden confidently by Olivier Doleuze, Dynamic Blitz overtook longtime leader Inxile at the top of the stretch and drew off to win easily. The 7-year-old gelded son of Elusive Quality, who was dismissed at odds of 14-1, set a new stakes record in the Al Shindagha, running six furlongs in 1:10.47.
Alazeyab held onto second, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Mutheeb. Favored Our Giant made a late move but had to settle for fourth, another quarter-length further back.
Trained in Hong Kong by Ricky Yiu, Dynamic Blitz was making his first start since a third-place finish going six furlongs on the turf at Sha Tin in November. Dynamic Blitz also became the third Hong Kong-based runner to win in Dubai, joining Vengeance Of Rain and Joy And Fun.
Owned by Lam Yin Kee, Dynamic Blitz was bred in Australia by D.P. Esplin and G.R. Hodgkinson. He is out of Assertive Lass, a group I-winning daughter of champion Zeditave, and is a half-brother to Reset, who captured the Australian Guineas (Aus-I) and Futurity Stakes (Aus-I).
Mahbooba Leads Home Galileo 1-2 in UAE 1000 Guineas
In the first stakes race on the card, Mahbooba overtook stablemate Reem in mid-stretch and drew off easily to win the listed UAE 1000 Guineas Sponsored by Etisalat by 3 3/4-lengths.
The daughter of Galileo led a 1-2 punch for not only the stallion, but also for trainer Mike de Kock and owner/breeder Sheik Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, which are the same connections as the runner up. It also marked the first victory in the UAE 1000 Guineas for de Kock, who has been a dominant force for many years at the Dubai Carnival.
Abtasaamah broke sharply under Frankie Dettori and was sent right to the front. She was tracked closely by Reem, as Christophe Soumillon sat Mahbooba just behind them in third. After a poor start, Amica was hustled along the inside rail by jockey Royston Ffrench and the 4-year-old quickly joined in the battle for the lead.
Abtasaamah continued to lead down the backstretch, showing the way by about a length. Amica was hot on her heels in second, with Reem alongside her in third. Mahbooba, racing a bit keenly for Soumillon, tracked them in fourth, with stablemate Empire Rose running in fifth.
As the field entered the far turn, Abtasaamah began to run out of gas and had no answer as Reem drew alongside to challenge for the lead. Reem quickly put her away, opening up a small lead as the fillies hit the top of the long home straight.
Mahbooba now was under a strong drive out by Soumillon in the center of the track, and the 3-5 favorite overtook Reem in the final furlong to win comfortably. Reem stayed on well to hold second, finishing 1 1/2-lengths in front of a late-running Chocolicious.
A 4-year-old filly bred in Australia, Mahbooba captured the Golden Slipper (SAf-I) as a juvenile in her home country. Out of the unraced Red Ransom mare, Sogha, Mahbooba hails from the immediate female family of North American Horse of the Year, Lady's Secret, and Japanese champion, Believe.
Dynamic Blitz leaves the rest behind in the Al Shindagha Sprint.
Andrew Watkins