There was something of a shock in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 with the Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Special Fighter able to make all under stable jockey Fernando Jara.
A long time the apple of his trainer’s eye, this was only his seventh start in the UAE, with all except one coming this season. It was just a third victory locally since joining Al Muhairi, though he did also triumph for him in China in April last year.
His previous biggest success was achieved over this very course and distance in the Listed Entisar Stakes when he beat the Satish Seemar-trained Farrier.
That was last December and few present that day would have predicted that the first two on that occasion would turn up on Super Saturday with one landing the second biggest dirt race of the UAE season, the other finishing second in Group One company on turf in the Jebel Hatta, the final race of the night.
Jara said: “We have always said this horse was very good, it was just a case of how good.
“Tonight he was just brilliant. I was very surprised to be able to get to the front on him so easily and then I was left alone. That has really suited him as he was able to bowl along as he liked without wasting energy or having to fight for the advantage.
“I was always happy on him and you could tell he was enjoying himself with the uncontested lead. I let him get a breath and then sent him for home a long way out as I knew he stays well and would gallop all the way to the line.
“I was waiting for a challenge but it never materialised. Obviously the likes of Frosted and California Chrome will be a different matter in the World Cup but we will enjoy tonight and look forward to the big night.”
Seemingly only moderately drawn in six, in the centre of the 12 runners, Jara was somewhat surprisingly soon able to not only get to the front but also secure the favoured rail position.
Tryster.
The other 11 runners seemed more than happy to let him do his own thing out in front so, as a result, Jara was able to let his mount find a nice stride.
Always in a steady rhythm and not being pressurised, Special Fighter always looked happy with his ears pricked and effortlessly covering the first half of the race.
In fact, it was only about 600m out Jara started to ask Special Fighter for an effort and he was rewarded with a quick spurt of pace. Suddenly, those in behind were sending out distress signals.
The great American hope, Keen Ice, was toiling fully 700m home and last year’s UAE Derby winner, Mubtaahij, was struggling in a distant fourth.
Gun Pit, from Hong Kong, tried to go with the leader as did the Doug Watson-trained Faulkner but, hard as they tried, Special Fighter was not for catching.
He crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Gun Pit with Faulkner a further two and three quarters back in third.
The winner also set a new track record to the delight of Al Muhairi who said: “It has been an amazing night and I am overwhelmed.
“I always believed Special Fighter could live up to his name and he certainly has here.
“World Cup night is going to be very exciting. It is it is a great position to be in and testament to all the hard work of the whole team all season.”
