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Dubai: The mighty Madjani had to give way to the classy Mizzna who scored a brilliant win in the only race for Purebred Arabians yesterday, under Tadhg O'Shea, to emerge as the new champion of Purebred Arabians.
Mizzna, the only mare in the 9-horse Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr 1) for Purebred Arabians, sponsored by Emaar, brought back memories of her mother Alanudd, winner of three Kahayla Classic races here between 1997-99.
Though Mizzna's win was not as dominating as the great Alanudd, the Eric Lemartinel-trained six-year-old displayed all the makings of a world class runner.
Madjani, who did reveal some chinks in his armour when he lost to locally-bred Dynamite in the His Highness President's Cup Group 1 race on turf in Abu Dhabi, seemed to have put that loss behind him with a good win on Super Thursday. But Lemartinel's decision to skip the Maktoum Challenge on Super Thursday seemed to have paid off and Mizzna produced a fantastic run to win by two lengths from Madjani.
It was Kandar Du Falgas which hit the front with about 4 furlongs left in the 10-furlong race, as Madjani stayed just behind the Doug Watson runner.
A furlong later, Madjani came from outside and joined the battle. Just when Madjani, under Richard Hills, began to head the pack, Mizzna came up with a searing run.
Both Mizzna and Madjani were locked in a battle for a short while before the Tadhg O'Shea mare outclassed the eight-year-old son of Tidjani to register a popular win.
Mizzna is owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Answering critics
Mizzna's win also answered the critics who felt she was more of a turf horse as she had won four races this season, all on turf, while there were also doubts about her ability to stay the distance.
The win also gave the trainer and jockey their first win on the big night. O'Shea, who has had a fantastic season in the UAE, was an elated man and praised Mizzna. "She has loads of class. She is only six and she has a lot more to come. She quickened up very well and she will be hard to beat," said Tadhg O'Shea.
"She was very good and very relaxed just like her mother. I had a flat spot about five furlongs out, but I let her have a breather and she really responded," he said.
Lemartinel, the Frenchman who was a jump jockey before he became a trainer, said: "Mizzna has improved tremendously over the last year. Though she used to be an 8-furlong horse before, she is now relaxed even over 10 furlongs and today she proved a true champion," said Lemartinel.
| RESULTS |
| RACE 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic Emaar (Group 1) |
| Pure Arabian bred (Dirt) |
| Place |
Horse/DIRT rating |
Trainer |
Jockeys |
G. No. |
| 1 |
Mizzna (FR) ( 107 ) |
E Lemartinel |
T O'Shea |
3 |
| 2 |
Madjani (FR) ( 122 ) |
G Duffield |
R Hills |
7 |
| 3 |
Al Moutawakel (FR) ( 109 ) |
S Seemar |
R Mullen |
5 |
| 4 |
Kandar Du Falgas (FR) ( 112 ) |
D Watson |
M Dwyer |
8 |
| 5 |
Fryvolous (FR) ( 108 ) |
J Frazier Jr |
R Moore |
6 |
| 6 |
Paris Gagner (FR) ( 108 ) |
D Watson |
D O'Donohoe |
1 |
| 7 |
Kaich (GB) ( 97 ) |
M Al Muhairi |
W Smith |
4 |
| 8 |
Santhal (FR) ( 110 ) |
E Charpy |
T Durcan |
9 |
| 9 |
Baher (FR) ( 100 ) |
E Lemartinel |
G Avranche |
2 |
|
