Dubai: Chad Summers can now proudly sing his favourite American country singer Kacey Musgraves’ hilarious number — after his horse Mind Your Biscuits, named after the latter’s chartbuster, clinched the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m, sponsored by Gulf News, on Dubai World Cup night at the Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.
This was Summers’ first winner as a trainer from his four previous runners and he celebrated his win quoting the lines from the Musgraves’ hit: “If you mind your own biscuits, life would be gravy.”
“We were very confident and I have only four horses at the moment but I had this race in mind when I took out my licence,” added Summers, who revealed that his target races next are Met Mile and Forego and a probable return to the Dubai World Cup next year.
Jockey Joel Rosario placed Mind Your Biscuits well in the pack and made his move in the last stretch to finish three lengths ahead of Comicas ridden by William Buick. Morawij led by Christopher Hayes was third — a short head behind.
“I was quickly away but with a post position of 14, I thought maybe I was going to be too wide. I was a little wide in the turn but he showed he was the best horse today. I’m so happy for Chad. He has worked really hard. I’m glad just to have the opportunity to be here,” said a beaming Rosario.
My Catch under Sam Hitchcott and St Joe Bay ridden by Norberto Arroyo Jr took charge of the race earlier on. Third last year, Hayes on Morawij also placed himself well on the rails and just before the final bend even St Joe Bay ridden by Norberto Arroyo led briefly. Then Rosario made his move and powered his way home. St Joe Bay finished fourth while My Catch settled for eighth spot.
Last year’s winner Muarrab, trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and ridden by Jim Crowley, surprisingly struggled on the rain-drenched dirt and finished a disappointing last.
Buick, describing his second place finish on Comicas, said: “He’s run very well and it was a lifetime best from him. We were posted out quite deep which helped him in a way as we got a good run through. No kickbacks and pressure early. You’d have to be very pleased with him and be very hopeful for next year in Dubai.”
Hayes too was delighted with his third place as he too revealed that his horse didn’t face any kickbacks. “The telling factor was he didn’t face kickbacks and it was his first time with that sort of kickback. We didn’t go too fast in front, it was a sensible pace. He stayed on well, we nearly got second. The winner must be some horse.”
Fourth placed Arroyo rated St Joe Bay’s showing as also impressive, saying: “I had a great trip. Our initial plan was to go to the lead, but I would have had to use too much of him to get the lead and I don’t think he would have finished well. He just got run down by a good horse. I think he ran a big race.”
