Allybar usurps odds-on Presvis at Meydan
Report:UAE, Friday
Meydan
ALLYBAR (Saeed Bin Suroor/Ahmed Ajtebi) caused an upset when easily landing the Al Tayer Motors Trophy.
All eyes were on Dubai World Cup-bound Presvis, who was sent-off the 2-7 favourite for the three-runner contest, the smallest field in the history of the Dubai Carnival.
The 1m2f Tapeta handicap turned into a tactical affair with Zulu Chief setting a sedate pace in the early stages as Presvis was held-up well off the pace.
Ajtebi was the first to commit for home on the winner and quickly opened a sizeable lead turning into the straight, while the Kieren Fallon-ridden Presvis soon came under heavy pressure and failed to make any impression on the leader, plugging on one-paced to settle for second.
Luca Cumani, trainer of Presvis, will look for another trial on the Tapeta surface before committing the son of Sakhee to the World Cup.
Cumani said: "We learned nothing basically in a very tactical race – that was always the concern with three runners and very similar to what happened at Lingfield.
"We will come back on Super Thursday for the third round of the Maktoum Challenge over the same course-and-distance.
"We always have two turf options on World Cup night if he does not take to the Tapeta but that was not the reason for tonight's defeat."
It did not take long for Godolphin and Ajtebi to claim a second victory on the night, courtesy of Anmar in race three.
The winning stable, who enjoyed a treble at the track on Thursday, saddled a one-two in the race, with Emirates Champion taking second spot.
Ajtebi produced a cool ride on the winner having settled his mount out the back in the 1m3f contest.
He looked to have plenty of ground to make up turning in, but found a remarkable burst of speed to swoop past the entire field down the wide outside.
the winning jockey said: "I was always going well and he has really picked up nicely."
The winner and the second returned the 3-1 joint-favourites.
Olivier Peslier strikes late on So Shiny in opener
So Shiny (Jerry Barton/Olivier Peslier) battled on strongly to record Saudi Arabia's first success at Meydan in the opening 6f handicap on the Tapeta.
The 14-1 chance was always handily placed and stayed on best in the straight to overtake the front-running Frosty Secret close home.
Peslier was quick to pay tribute to his willing partner, he said: "She is a tough filly and has stuck her neck out gamely."
Much of the pre-race interest surrounded Indian mare Oasis Star, who is something of a sensation in her native country, and was sent off the 9-4 favourite.
She finished with real purpose to collar Frosty Secret (8-1) for the runner-up spot.
Winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas at last year’s Dubai Carnival, So Shiny was representing Riyadh-based trainer Jerry Barton, who saddled six winners at the 2009 carnival.
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