Review: Gr.1 Dubai Kahayla Classic
AF Maher Wins Kahayla By A Nose
The 2019 renewal of the Dubai Kahayla Classic ended in a thrilling finish. Neck to neck the locally trained AF Maher and the Polish raider Fazza Al Khalediah battled it to the line of the 2000m race that is run on dirt. With 300m to go, AF Maher lost his advantage that he had held since the gates opened, but he fought back and slowly but surely got his head in front once more to pass the
winning post as the new victor of this Purebred Arabian classic.
“You need courage and that is what he has,” said his jubilant jockey Tadhg O’Shea, who had had the choice between the 6-year-old son of AF Al Buraq and AF Raad and the other Ernst Oertel-trained runner AF Al Sajanjle.
Only a few hours before the race, he said he was hoping to have made the right choice after AF Maher had impressively disposed of Ziyadd in his prep race, which statistically has not been the greatest pointer towards the Kahayla Classic.
Owned by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, AF Maher offered Ernst Oertel his first victory in this race and the trainer said: “This is what Arabians do. They battle. I’m so happy and I’m lost for words. I am just so proud.”
With such a strong pace from the start, 2018 defending champion Tallaab Al Khalediah was not able to dictate the pace from draw number 12. He travelled on the outside and when AF Maher and Fazza Al Khaledia quickened coming out of the bend, he was quickly outpaced. In the end, it was Goshawke who finished ten and a quarter-lengths behind the leading pair in third, while Tallaab Al Khalediah finished fourth.
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When & Where: 30th March 2019 at Meydan Racecourse, UAE
Credit: Curated from press releases received from Dubai Racing Club