Dubai: Godolphin’s African Story came through a critical dirt test at Meydan on Saturday with flying colours and will now bid to become the first horse to win back-to-back runnings of the $10million (Dh36.7 million) Group 1 Dubai World Cup, in three weeks time.

Saeed Bin Surour’s trainee had finished a disappointing seventh on his dirt debut in the middle leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge (G2) a month ago, but affirmatively reversed the form, to win the third leg from traditional adversary and stable companion Prince Bishop.

Godolphin’s retained rider James Doyle rode a strategic race aboard the eight-year-old son of Pivotal, steering him clear of the dreaded kick-back, before asking him for his effort at the 200 marker and the response was instantaneous.

Prince Bishop, the mount of William Buick, came with his customary flying finish but just failed to catch the winner, with the winning margin being a narrow neck.

Bin Surour was pleased with the performance of his runners and said: “We decided to ride him differently this time and it worked out nicely. He looked more comfortable today although he did get some sand in his face, but he handled it professionally and ran the race that we expected him to.

“Both horses could go to the Dubai World Cup, but we still have to decide.”

British bookmakers reacted to the result and cut African Story to 10-1 (from 20-1) to defend his crown on March 28.

Bin Suour and Doyle, who had won the preceding race, the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold with the impressive Sky Hunter, completed an exceptional hat-trick when Hunter’s Light won the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, the official prep for the $5million Dubai Turf on World Cup night.

Emirati handler Musabah Al Muhairi, continued his phenomenal success with sprinters this season when he saddled Shaishee to score a hugh upset in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimal, the prep race for the Group 1 $2million Dubai Golden Shaheen in three weeks time.

Ridden tenaciously by stable jockey Silvestre de Sousa, the five-year-old who began the season contesting handicaps, showed plenty of determination to see off United Color and Speed Hawk in a blistering finish to the 1,200metre contest.

Less than 24 hours earlier Al Muhairi had sent out Muaraab to win a fourth Jebel Ali Sprint at Jebel Ali racecourse.

De Sousa, was full of praise for Shaishee, and said: “He broke smart and I was always happy with the way he was travelling.

“He’s a smashing horse who had done nothing but improve all season.”

Richard Hills, Racing Manager of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, was more direct and said: “If you win on Super Saturday you’ve got to look at World Cup night and the Golden Shaheen is in our sights.”

Al Muhairi would go on to complete a big-race double when Tamarkuz won the Group 3 Burj Nahaar in the capable hands of Paul Hanagan.

If race goers were smacking their lips at the exciting fare on offer, they were in for more celebration in the following race, the Group 3 Meydan Sprint over 1,000metres on the dirt.

The traditional prep for the $1million Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup day, turned into a battle royal before the Ian Williams-trained Sir Maximilian swooped late under former six-time British champion jockey Kieren Fallon to land the spoils.

A six-year-old gelding by Royal Applause, Sir Maximilian overcame a rough trip to beat a quality field that included Godolphin’s Ahtoug, runner-up in this race last year, and Caspar Netschier, who is trained in Britain by David Simcock.

“I was stopped two or three times but he wanted to win tonight,” said Fallon. “He’s a brave horse and never stopped trying.”

Williams was exulting in one of the biggest wins on the flat having enjoyed a fair share of success with hurdlers in the UK.