Review: Al Shindagha Sprint and Al Maktoum Challenge
Lighting and Thunder rule Thursday at Meydan
Fifth meeting of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival on Thursday was ruled by the Lightning and Thunder. The Siblings won the UAE 1000 Guineas and Al Maktoum Challenge R2 respectively.
A truly amazing performance by Thunder Snow getting better of North America who stood second and Heavy Metal who came in third. North America and Heavy Metal both came under pressure at the top of the straight, whereas Soumillon always looked happy on the eventual winner.
“Basically, I think he was the best horse in the race and I rode him accordingly,” Soumillon said. “His stamina was never an issue, whereas the other pair are quick horses who had more early speed. My horse actually wanted to go after them earlier in the back straight, but I was happy to take my time and wait until the home straight. He then won well in the style of a good horse. I actually said to Saeed he gives me a better, more natural feel, on turf whereas, on dirt, I think his class gets him home.”
The Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint over 1200m on the dirt looked a particularly strong race mixed with group 1 winners, but none of those factored in the procession of impressive gate-to-wire victor My Catch, followed by Comicas in second and Reynaldothewizard in third.
“The last couple of weeks this horse has really come back to himself and started working much better,” Dobbs who rode the winner said. “That low draw really suits him because that is the way he likes to race; from the front and quickly throughout.”
Watson added: “When we saw the draw, in one, we were delighted because it is ideal for him. He has not ever really run a bad race, but things have transpired against him a few times. He has really started working well over the last couple of weeks, so we were very hopeful and he has not disappointed.”
By Apurva Chavan, Racing Writer, apurva.chavan@secretariatsworld.com