Presvis has been a star performer for the past two Carnivals. The
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As usual, Presvis was lackadaisical in leaving the gate, and Moore let him
ease into stride at the tail of the field. Tequilla Heights (Know Heights [Ire])
briefly showed in front, but was soon headed by Tam Lin (GB) (Selkirk), who
maintained a narrow lead until turning for home. As Tam Lin bowed out, Tequilla
Heights regained the advantage, only to be swamped in turn by Caymans (Secret
Savings) at the top of the stretch.
Further back in the pack, however, Moore had a double handful of horse aboard
Presvis, and he was deftly advancing in the midst of the field. The splits came
as he needed them, and Presvis inhaled Caymans inside the final furlong.
Increasing his advantage to the wire, he rolled home a most convincing winner.
“They went quickly, which always helps him,” Moore said, “and he travels so
strongly he almost pulls his way into the race. He has quickened nicely at the
200-meter pole to win his race in a few strides. Hopefully he is on target for
the Dubai Duty Free.”
English Group 3 victor Steele Tango (Okawango), coming off a
course-and-distance handicap score on January 13, got up late for second.
Australian Group 2 hero Caymans held third in his Dubai debut for Godolphin,
another 1 3/4 lengths back. South African Horse of the Year Irish Flame
(Dynasty) reported home fourth in his Dubai premiere for Mike de Kock, a
creditable run considering that this distance was a bit short for him. Tequilla
Heights weakened to 11th, and Tam Lin brought up the rear in 13th.
Presvis’ third career stakes victory advanced his record to 21-7-6-2,
$3,471,386. The bay first attracted attention as a rapidly-improving handicapper
in 2008, an impression confirmed by his seven-length romp in the John Smith’s
heritage handicap at Newbury, and he made his mark at the top level in 2009. In
addition to his coup in that season’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup and his rallying
second in the Duty Free, he also finished second in the 2009 Singapore Airlines
International Cup and Churchill S. and third in the Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1).
Bred by Mrs. M. Campbell-Andenaes in Great Britain, Presvis twice toured the
Tattersalls auction ring, fetching $29,628 as a December weanling and $55,317 as
an October yearling. He is out of the winning Never So Bold (Ire) mare Forest
Fire, whose latest is a juvenile colt named Forest Row (Cockney Rebel). Presvis’
third dam is Norsk Oaks heroine Twins’ Fire (Firestreak).
Bronze Cannon was winning for the first time in the colors of Chechen
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Thursday evening was also a banner one for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who
recorded his 100th winner at the Dubai International Racing Carnival and his
250th overall in the United Arab Emirates. The milestone didn’t come with a
Godolphin runner, but ironically at the expense of one, when Sheikh Majid bin
Mohammed al Maktoum’s LOST IN THE MOMENT (Danehill Dancer) bested Godolphin’s
Prizefighting (Smart Strike) from the Mahmood al Zarooni yard by a half-length.
With Mickael Barzalona in the irons, the four-year-old colt took 2:18 1/5 to
finish the about 1 3/8-mile handicap on the Tapeta. The top two pulled well
clear of the rest, as Prizefighting was 4 1/2 lengths ahead of stablemate
Burdlaz (Indian Ridge).
“It is great to reach these milestones and a real credit to all the team and
everybody involved,” bin Suroor said. “We have made a great start to the
Carnival, and the horses are running well.”
Lost in the Moment was making his first start for new connections. Last seen
landing an October 23 handicap at Newbury for Jeremy Noseda, he was sold for
$214,100 at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. The well-bred bay
was produced by the In the Wings (GB) mare Streetcar, making him a three-quarter
brother to Grade 1 queen and Irish classic-placed Luas Line (Ire) (Danehill),
and he was originally purchased for $534,660 as a Goffs yearling. Following this
successful Dubai debut, Lost in the Moment nearly tripled his earnings to
$126,301 from his 9-4-1-0 line.
Whispering Gallery captured last year’s August S. at Windsor and twice
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Godolphin was registering a double on the night, having previously scored
with CITY STYLE (City Zip) in the opening handicap. The al Zarooni pupil
prevailed by three-quarters of a length going a metric mile on the Tapeta, and
in the process, handed Barzalona the first of his two wins. City Style improved
off his eighth in a January 20 handicap here, and his scorecard now stands at
14-5-1-2, $358,905.
Ahmed al Falasi’s HAPPY DUBAI (Indian Ridge), who snapped a losing streak in
a January 20 handicap, came right back to make it two in a row. Ridden this time
by Frankie Dettori, the Ali Rashid al Raihe trainee burst 1 3/4 lengths clear
and reeled off about six furlongs on the turf in 1:09 4/5. Happy Dubai’s resume
reads 12-3-1-6, $203,181.
“I thought he was my best chance on the night,” Dettori said, “and he really
did that well, quickening like a good horse.”
Raihana (Elusive Quality) rattled home along the rail and failed by a little
The German-bred Win for Sure, a son of German highweight stayer Win for Us
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