The 1800m Dubai Duty Free, the second of the two Group 1 turf features, may have looked ultra competitive on paper but it turned out very much not to be the case with a stunning victory for the Japanese and Just A Way.
Trained by Naosuke Sugai and ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga, the winner was settled in rear well behind a strong early gallop set by compatriot, Tokei Halo.
Turning for home Fukunaga was clearly travelling very strongly and tracked Vercingetorix, seemingly going equally well under Christophe Soumillon.
Both horses went from being at the back of the 13-runner field to challenging the leaders in a few strides but Dank, who had been settled in rear with them, was denied a clear run on the inside as the other two challenged Tokei Halo who tired quickly.
With 400m to run, Soumillon and Vercingetorix hit the front, still travelling well within themselves but the lead was short lived with Fukunaga and Just A Way storming past them about 100m later.
They quickened clear in great style, passing the line with plenty in hand and breaking the track record set in last year’s renewal by Sajjhaa in the process.
Dank, arguably unlucky in running, ran on to take third under Ryan Moore. The jockey was opening his UAE account at the fourth attempt, while the trainer was saddling his very first runner locally.
Fukunaga said: “We knew he was a good horse and capable of a big run. He certainly has not let us down and I was always very happy on him. They went a good early pace which was a big help.
“I could see Vercingetorix was also going well so I was happy to take a lead from him but when I asked, my horse has really quickened and lengthened. It was a brilliant performance and we are obviously delighted.”
Trainer Sugai added: “I could not be more pleased. His work has been good and steady because we only ran him at the start of the month so that we did not have to ask too much of him here in the mornings.
“Luckily, the plan has worked perfectly. His win in last year’s Tenno Sho was from Gentildonna, a dual Japan Cup winner, so he had already proved his class at home but it is a dream come true to do it here.”
Of the runner-up, Soumillon said: “My horse may have lost his unbeaten record but he has run a great race in defeat and just found one too good on the day. I think we might go to Hong Kong with him but that is up to trainer Mike De Kock. It is hard to be disappointed after such an excellent effort from him.”
