More Distance, No Problem for Salute the Soldier in G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3

Salute the Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) found the added real estate of the 2000-metre G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 no problem and earned his first Group 1 win at Meydan in front-running style on Saturday evening.

The Fawzi Nass trainee scooted straight to the fence and battled with Tailor's Row (Street Cry {Ire}) and Roman Rosso (Arg) (Roman Ruler) into the clubhouse turn before shaking off those rivals to take command outright. Approaching the far bend, Tailor's Row called it a day and Roman Rosso was left to press the Victorious colourbearer as Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) stalked that pair just behind.

Salute the Soldier kept finding at the head of affairs inside the final quarter mile, with Hypothetical appearing to bring the strongest challenge, but the 6-year-old gelding held firm to the line to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Hypothetical was second three lengths in front of Roman Rosso. The margin back to  Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan) in fourth was 1 1/4 lengths. Salute the Solider is the second Group 1 winner for his sire Sepoy (Aus) (Elusive Quality).

“I expected the pace to be set from the outside, he jumped well, and the guys next to me didn't want it so I was happy to lead,” said jockey Adrie de Vries. “I got my own pace. He is just getting better, and he is so much fun. He is a great character, there is always something special about him. He didn't want to go to the start today, he has his tricks in the morning as well. I think he still has got a bit left in the tank, he continues to improve and I hope we have him spot on for the big day.”

Added Nass, “He showed us last year that he absolutely glides on the Meydan dirt, and distance wise he always showed he would stay a lot further. He was actually never built as a sprinter as you can see. Luckily it paid off going the extra couple of furlongs.

“When you have a horse that has already qualified for the Dubai World Cup, we did think why take a risk or running a race [Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3] where [we] could get beaten. But we thought about it and it is pretty long gap from his last race to Dubai World Cup day, and the horse is quite enthusiastic, and we thought why not run him today.”

Third in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup S. at Newbury in September of 2019 in the colours of Mr. and Mrs. P. Hargreaves and Alan Spence for trainer Clive Cox, the bay was knocked down for 380,000 guineas to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock later that fall at the Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale. A winner of the 2020 G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday last term for these connections, Salute the Soldier did not face the starter again until a fourth-place run in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile on Dec. 17. He reported home third in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 on Jan. 21 prior to his G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 score on Feb. 11.

Pedigree Notes

Salute the Soldier is the second top level winner after MG1SW Alizee (Aus) for his four-time Group 1-winning sire Sepoy. Originally a G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper winner who progressed to take the G1 Manikato S. and G1 Coolmore Stud S. at three, the son of Elusive Quality stood under the Darley banner in both hemispheres and is currently based at Darley's Northwood Park in Victoria.

The sixth foal out of his unraced dam, Salute the Soldier is the best by a large margin. Street Fire's only black-type winner, she has an additional four winners to date. Her 2018 filly, Fire Dancing (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), has yet to race, and she has a yearling filly by that sire, too.

The Kris S. mare Firedrake, Salute the Soldier's second dam, is a half-sister to GI Eddie Read H. hero Monzante (Maria's Mon) and to the French stakes winner Alpha Plus (Mr. Prospector), second in the G3 Prix La Rochette. His fourth dam is Bold Captive (Boldnesian), responsible for GI Breeders' Cup Classic victor Skywalker (Relaunch) and GII Malibu S. hero Pac Mania (Ramsinga {Fr}).

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R3  (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE)-G1, $390,000, Meydan, 3-6, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2000m, 2:03.09, ft.
1–SALUTE THE SOLDIER (GER), 126, g, 6, by Sepoy (Aus)
1st Dam: Street Fire (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Firedrake, by Kris S.
3rd Dam: Danzante, by Danzig
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (380,000gns HRA '19 TATOCT).
O-Victorious; B-Alan Spence (GER); T-Fawzi Nass; J-Adrie de
Vries. $234,000. Lifetime Record: 21-8-5-3, $1,122,218. Werk
   Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Hypothetical (Ire), 126, c, 4, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Peut Etre
(Ire), by Whipper. (550,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Sheikh
Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Knocktoran Stud
(IRE); T-Salem bin Ghadayer. $78,000.
3–Roman Rosso (Arg), 126, h, 6, Roman Ruler–Rose City (Arg),
by City West (Arg). O-Zaur Bifov; B-Haras Melincue (ARG);
T-Satish Seemar. $39,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 3, 1 1/4.
Also Ran: Thegreatcollection, Secret Ambition (GB), New Trails, Dubai Mirage (Ire), Firnas (GB), Quip, Tailor's Row, Saltarin Dubai (Arg). Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

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Super Saturday On Tap At Meydan

A packed slate of seven pattern races is set for Meydan's 'Super Saturday' card for aspirants to the Dubai World Cup races on Mar. 27, and headlining the card is the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 over the course and distance of the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup. Last-out group winners Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) and Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) are the headliners, but potential distance limitations for the pair of them perhaps levels the playing field. The 6-year-old Salute The Soldier went the furthest he has gone last out in the 1900 metre G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, winning by a diminishing length after hitting the lead two furlongs out.

Secret Ambition is a mile specialist who beat the reopposing Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) over that trip in the G3 Firebreak S. on Feb. 4, and he goes beyond a mile for just the second time in his 40-race career. The only time he attempted this trip was two years ago when he was beaten 12 1/2 lengths in a Meydan handicap on the turf. Salute The Solider and Secret Ambition are, interestingly, both by Australian-bred sprinters and have damsires that are Dubai World Cup winners-Street Cry (Ire) and Singspiel (Ire), respectively–so connections will be hoping they can call on the stamina of their female lines. Salute The Soldier's rider Adrie De Vries said the horse got the trip well last time. “That was a new trip last time and he stayed well, suggesting the extra 200 metres will not be an issue,” the rider said. “He seems in great form and it is exciting to, hopefully, be involved with a genuine Dubai World Cup prospect.”

Hypothetical franked Secret Ambition's form with a mile handicap win on Feb. 18, and he races beyond that trip for the first time since relocating to Dubai for this year's carnival. One who will not struggle with the trip is New Trails (Medaglia d'Oro), who won the Listed Curlin S. over this course and distance first up on Feb. 18, though class is a question mark for the 7-year-old gelding, who at last year's carnival was well beaten in the second and third rounds of the Maktoum Challenge. Saltarin Dubai (Arg) (E Dubai) was fourth in this race last year and signalled his wellness with a win in the Listed Jebel Ali S. over this trip on Feb. 5, while Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan) was among those closing on Salute The Soldier in Round 2, and his trainer Doug Watson said, “He stayed the 1900 metres well last time and, on that evidence, 2000 metres is not going to be a problem. He has been in great form all season. Hopefully they go quick and he can close on them in the straight. We are really looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

The Al Maktoum Challenge R3 is preceded on the card by the night's other Group 1, the 1800 metre Jebel Hatta on the turf, and the 2019 G1 Queen Anne S. winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) looks to continue a resurgence at age eight that has seen him put in two excellent efforts at this year's carnival over this course and distance. A first-up three-length winner of the G2 Singspiel S. on Jan. 21, Lord Glitters got going too late when a fast-finishing third in the G2 Al Rashidiya on Feb. 11, with the Singspiel third Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal) turning the tables after getting first run. Lord Glitters's trainer David O'Meara said, “His last race was just not run to suit him as there was no pace. He does not have the penalty this time and, hopefully, there will be a stronger gallop.”

Zakouski sits out this contest but the Al Rashidiya second Court House (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) reopposes, and he ran a big race in his second start since leaving John Gosden.

The second, third and fourth from the G2 Zabeel Mile on Feb. 18 line up here, and First Contact (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) made a favourable impression in his first start since being picked up by Al Rashid Stables and Satish Seemar from Godolphin for AED210,000 at last September's Racing In Dubai Sale. First Contact had been a listed winner and Group 3-placed in France for Charlie Appleby and was third in this race two years ago, and though he took some time to get himself organized in the Zabeel Mile he kicked on late to run down his former stablemate Art Du Val (GB) (No Nay Never) and grab second.

Another Charlie Appleby runner to keep an eye on is Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the 4-year-old making his first appearance since winning the one-mile Listed Sir Henry Cecil S. at Newmarket by six lengths last July. Al Suhail is lightly raced-his only other effort last year was a down-the-field-finish in the G1 2000 Guineas-and he was twice group-placed at two. Appleby said, “Al Suhail had a setback after winning at Newmarket and subsequently we have had our eye on a Dubai campaign for him. His preparation has gone well and he did a nice racecourse gallop at Meydan last week. We are hoping that he can run a decent race with an eye on going on to the G1 Dubai Turf later in the month, so we expect him to come on for the run, but we have no doubt about his ability to run at this level.”

Streets Ahead

Al Suhail is favoured in the international markets and Appleby likewise fields the favourite for the 2410 metre G2 Dubai City of Gold in the last-out course and distance Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic winner Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). On his first run there since winning the Listed Godolphin S. over 2400 metres at Newmarket on Sept. 25, Walton Street went all the way on the front on Jan. 21 and was much the best to beat Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by five lengths. The form has worked out well since, with Dubai Future coming back to win the Listed Meydan Cup on Feb. 4, and with the second there, Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), winning the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on Feb. 25.

“Walton Street was very impressive on his first start of the season and the form of that race has worked out well,” Appleby said. “It was always the plan to then come straight here and his preparation has gone nicely. This is a step up in class, but he deserves his chance at this level.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's 2020 G3 Winter Derby scorer Dubai Warrior (GB) (Dansili {GB}) makes his second local start for trainer John Gosden. The 5-year-old won the Listed Churchill S. at Lingfield in November and was third behind Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the Listed Quebec S. on Dec. 19, and returns to the turf after beating only his full-brother Mootasadir (GB) home in Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on Feb. 11.

A Star To Rise

The G3 Mahab Al Shimaal is the course and distance stepping stone to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on World Cup night, and with no prior pattern race winners in the field of 13, there is opportunity for someone to rise to the occasion. Premier Star (Tapiture) makes his first start for Doug Watson after being purchased privately from the stable of American trainer Michael Trombetta. The 4-year-old has won four of seven starts including the Listed Jersey Shore S. when last seen on Oct. 14 by 4 3/4 lengths.

Watson, in fact, sends out a strong hand here, with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) also among the favourites; the 6-year-old gelding won a course and distance handicap on Feb. 4. Salem bin Ghadayer's Important Mission (More Than Ready) was second there, and again in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint two weeks later. Good Effort (Ire) won five straight races through last year, including the Listed Golden Rose S. on Nov. 14, but had that streak snapped when fourth in the G3 Dubawi S. on Jan. 21.

The one-mile G3 Burj Nahaar sees the return of Group 1 winner and carnival stalwart North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 9-year-old's greatest day came when he beat the two-time Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on this card three years ago, and he has twice won group races over this trip. After winning a pair of Group 2s at the 2019 carnival, North America made just two starts last year, finishing third in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 before beating just one home in the Saudi Cup, so he will have to prove he is still up to the task at his advanced age. Among those waiting in the wings should he not are the 5-year-olds Midnight Sands (Speightstown) and Blown By Wind (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The Cool Silk Partnership's Midnight Sands won five straight races at Meydan from 2019/20 before joining Brendan Walsh in Kentucky for an abbreviated autumn campaign last year, and he is once again back with Doug Watson. Salem bin Ghadayer's Blown By Wind won the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Jan. 22 but beat just two home when stepped up in trip for the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 on Feb. 11.

Patriota To Continue Progression

The 3-year-olds take their chance in the card-opening Listed Al Bastakiya S. over the 1900 metre trip of the G2 UAE Derby on Mar. 27, and Uruguayan-based trainer Antonio Cintra looks to build on win in this race's trial race on Jan. 28 with El Patriota (Uru) (Ecologo {Arg}), who was making his first start there since winning the Gran Premio Nacional, a local Group 1, in his native country on Nov. 1. The runner-up in the trial, Charles Fipke's Speight'spercomete (Speightstown), reopposes. Salem bin Ghadayer's Panadol (Flatter) is an intriguing prospect making his second start. He broke his maiden by 7 3/4 lengths going a mile at Meydan on Feb. 13, beating the trial third Endifaa (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}).

The Super Saturday card comes to a close with the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint going six furlongs on the grass, and Godolphin once again holds a strong hand with three of the leading contenders. Charlie Appleby's Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal) makes his first start since beating the eventual G1 British Champions Sprint S. winner Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis last July, while the Feb. 4 Listed Dubai Sprint one-two Man Of Promise (Into Mischief) and Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) re-oppose. They all could have their hands full, however, with Nigel Tinkler's 3-year-old Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who ran a big second to Group 1 sprinter Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in the G2 Meydan Sprint over a furlong shorter on Feb. 18. He goes beyond the minimum trip for the first time.

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Salute The Soldier Appears ‘A Genuine Dubai World Cup Prospect’

Three weeks before the UAE's biggest day of horseracing, the Dubai World Cup card, this weekend's Super Saturday is a 'dress rehearsal' with all seven races mirroring the conditions of one of those on the big day, officially highlighted by the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on dirt along with the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, the turf highlight.

Over the same 2000m (1 1/4 miles) on dirt as the $12 million Dubai World Cup, the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 has on three occasions been won by a subsequent Dubai World Cup winner with Dubai Millennium (2000), Street Cry (2002) and Electrocutionist (2006) all completing the double at Nad Al Sheba for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor.

Frankie Dettori rode all three to win this, though did not partner Street Cry in the World Cup, and is aboard dirt debutant Dubai Mirage for the same connections this year. Competing at his first Meydan carnival, the 4-year-old gelding has finished second on both local starts, in turf handicaps over 1600m (one mile) and 1800m (nine furlongs).

Being a gelded son of Dubawi, he certainly looks worth trying on the dirt surface and did lose his maiden tag on his sole all-weather appearance in Britain.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Mirage has run well on the turf so far this season, finishing second on both occasions, and we wanted to give him a chance on the dirt. This will be a very tough race, but he has been going nicely at home.”

For Fawzi Nass and Adrie de Vries, Salute The Soldier was a Super Saturday winner last year in the 1600m (one mile) Group 3 Burj Nahaar. A 6-year-old Sepoy gelding, he bounced back to winning ways in the 1900m (1 3/16 miles) Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 just over three weeks ago.

De Vries said: “That was a new trip last time and he stayed well, suggesting the extra 200m (furlong) will not be an issue. He seems in great form and it is exciting to, hopefully, be involved with a genuine Dubai World Cup prospect.”

Second on that occasion to De Vries' mount was Thegreatcollection, also runner-up in the 1600m (one mile) Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 when Salute The Soldier was third. To be ridden by Pat Dobbs, the 7-year-old Saint Anddan gelding is trained by Doug Watson for Zaur Sekrekov.

The trainer said: “He stayed the 1900m (1 3/16 miles) well last time and, on that evidence, 2000m (1 1/4 miles) is not going to be a problem. He has been in great form all season.

“Hopefully they go quick and he can close on them in the straight. We are really looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Thegreatcollection's most recent victory, in the middle of December, was in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile, chased home by Secret Ambition with Salute The Soldier back in fourth.

Trained by Satish Seemar for Nasir Askar, Secret Ambition was then runner-up when attempting to defend his crown in the Group 3 Jebel Al Mile. Most recently, he won the 1600m (one mile) Group 3 Firebreak Stakes, at the carnival, a month ago.

With regular pilot Tadhg O'Shea suspended, Richard Mullen resumes the partnership victorious in the 2019 Jebel Ali Mile. Seemar also saddles Quip, Saltarin Dubai, victorious in the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes on his most recent start a month ago under Mullen, and Roman Rosso.

Salem bin Ghadayer is seeking a third consecutive victory in the race and fourth in five years. He saddles Firnas, Tailor's Row and Hypothetical, runner-up behind Secret Ambition in the Firebreak Stakes before recording a second 1600m dirt Meydan handicap success a fortnight ago.

Bin Ghadayer said: “All three are in good form and have been running well, but this is, obviously, a tough race. We hope they all run well and can give a good account of themselves.”

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