Unleashed wins Madjani Stakes, Imperial Emperor reigns supreme in Palm Jebel Ali
- an hours ago
Imperial Emperor was flagged as a G2 Godolphin Mile prospect when he won first up this season, but now connections may aim even higher after another dominant display on week four of the Carnival.
Deva Racing’s smart recruit, who is trained by Bhupat Seemar, could head to the G1 Maktoum Challenge on January 24 after this latest impressive success.
Despite carrying top weight of 62kg in the Palm Jebel Ali Handicap over 1600metres, he was given a confident ride by Tadhg O’Shea, disputing the lead early on and going it alone from 900metres.
From there, it was never in doubt, and he stormed home for a seven and a quarter-length win over Khanjar, with Al Jaddaf third.
“He trains like a smart horse and he broke on terms tonight,” said O’Shea.
The dream is also alive for another syndicate-owned horse, Mendelssohn Bay, who left it until the line to steal victory from stable companion Killer Collect.
The two squared off in the concluding Dubai Islands Conditions Stakes, over 1900metres, which was a fascinating race to watch; O’Shea on Killer Collect taking the lead early and looking to have it won turning in, only for Mendelssohn Bay to go ahead, be headed and fight back for a nose success.
Unleashed has had a steep rise to near top of the Purebred Arabian ranks and the five-year-old picked up a first Group race success when landing the G2 Madjani Stakes (sponsored by Nakheel) — the evening’s official feature.
Trained by Dr Jaber Bittar, he made the running from stall six and got stronger as the race went on, never looking like being passed by either Kanaille De Faust or AF Yatwy, second and third.
“This horse has been knocking on the door,” said rider Richie Mullen. “His last race was always going to be tough, as it was over 1400metres, but they had to start him somewhere.
“This trip is the minimum he wants to go. I didn’t want to take him back behind Tadhg [O’Shea’s] horse [RB Yas Sir] as sometimes he can get a little intimidated.
“He’s a horse you probably won’t see in Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge over a mile, but Round 2 and 3 would suit him, over further, if that’s the route connections want to take.”
Doug Watson had been excited about running Oasis Boy and his faith in the colt was well-founded when he made a winning Red Stables debut in the Nad Al Sheba Gardens Conditions race, over 1400metres.
The son of Asiatic Boy is in his second season in the UAE, having previously been with Julio Olascoaga, and he was tenacious here under Pat Dobbs, despite being hit in the face by a whip in the closing stages. The result was a battling quarter-length success over Magic Petition, with Straight And Level third. Strobe could be one to watch, having been an unlucky fourth.
Oasis Boy completed a double for Dobbs and Watson, after the earlier victory of Nyaar in the Como Residences Handicap, over 1400metres. He made all the running from stall three and was a comfortable winner, beating Atlantic Sky by four and a half lengths.
There was a dramatic result in the first of the Thoroughbred races, the Palm Beach Towers Conditions Stakes, for non-winners of two, which went to debutant Noogool.
Ridden by Andrew Slattery for Seemar, the son of Tonalist was outpaced and adrift in the early stages of the 1200metre contest, but motored home off the final turn and passed his five rivals easily enough in the end, beating Golden Redemption by just under a length.
Another first-time winner was Valdivia, who broke the heart of long-time leader Cupid’s Dream when swooping late in The Acres maiden, over 2000metres.
The Demarchelier colt was making his fifth start and was gritty where it mattered, reeling in his rivals close home and beating stablemate Al Mukhtar by three-quarters of a length.
