Newbury Racecourse, UK: Day two of the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend at Newbury Racecourse featuring three Group races and a valuable handicap, delivered a top class conclusion to the world-renowned airport retailer’s 2016 UK horseracing sponsorship programme.
The most prestigious race of the afternoon was the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes over six furlongs for two-year-olds which saw a local success for Lambourn handler Clive Cox with Harry Angel.
The son of Dark Angel was making his first appearance since finishing second at Ascot in May, having been withdrawn at the start on his next intended appearance when unruly at the stalls at Goodwood at the end of July.
Partnered by Adam Kirby, Harry Angel travelled keenly and took up the running entering the final claim victory over another son of Dark Angel, Perfect Angel, by two and a half lengths.
A delighted Cox said: “It was a blip at Goodwood last time after he was a promising second first time out. He was bruised quite badly at Goodwood and it is great testament to the team at home, who have worked tirelessly, that we have been able to get him back.
“He is a horse that is just anxious to get on with it but is very talented. I am pleased that people have been able to see today what we have been able to see at home. It is great to have another Group race two-year-old winner.”
A Royal winner looked on the cards in the GBP 60,000 Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup run over one mile three furlongs when Her Majesty the Queen’s Dartmouth started favourite, but the four-year-old ridden by Ryan Moore had to bow to Algometer and Jim Crowley who gave Newmarket trainer David Simcock a second successive win in the race. Algometer, a strapping grey who ran in the Derby, will not fly the flag in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in a fortnight’s time at Chantilly, “But we will be going for one more top race abroad,” said Simcock. “Algometer will be even better next year.”
The five furlong Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy saw four-year-old Cotai Glory get the better of Alpha Delphini by a short-head with last year’s runner-up Ridge Ranger a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
Winning trainer Charlie Hills said, “I so nearly took him out today because of the ground but with so many horses already out of the race, we were enticed to run.
“I think he won today despite the ground and stuck his head out. I can’t wait to see him on fast ground.”
The big handicap of the day was the GBP 75,000 Dubai Duty Free Handicap which went the way of joint-favourite Baydar in the hands of Josephine Gordon for Newmarket trainer Hugo Palmer.
The three-year-old was completing a four-timer in the 10-furlong contest and stayed on gamely to outgun Scarlet Dragon partnered by fellow female apprentice rider, Hollie Doyle.
Rob Speers, representing winning owner Ibrahim Araci said, “Hugo Palmer has always held Baydar in the highest regard. He is a horse we have looked after with a view to his four-year-old career.
“He has steadily improved this year and we could step him up in trip to a mile and a half. Not many horses win four handicaps in a row and we could look at running him in Pattern Company.”
The Dubai Duty Free Nursery Handicap provided trainer Clive Cox with a memorable double on the day when Ryan Moore brought Graphite Storm home infront in the colours of owner-breeder Mrs Olive Shaw.
Among Dubai Duty Free’s special guests were His Excellency Sulaiman Al Mazroui, the UAE Ambassador to the UK and Ian Balding, trainer of the 1971 Derby hero Mill Reef in whose honour the day’s feature event is run.
