Trade Storm scored a remarkable victory in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile, the 1600m turf feature at the ninth meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, on Saturday evening. Slowly away under Jamie Spencer, the David Simcock-trained Trade Storm was last as the eight runners turned for home but, just as he and Spencer had done in a 1800m handicap two weeks ago, he passed all his rivals to win easily.
The difference was, on that occasion, he challenged wide down the centre of the track whereas this time he weaved through rivals under a clearly elated jockey. “You have to be impressed by that,” said Spencer. “I wanted to track Musir but we missed the kick so I was further back than I intended but he was always going well. As we turned for home I was looking for a gap and when we found one we were able to get through and he showed a great turn of foot.
“David has really done well with this horse who seems to be improving and has thrived in the Dubai weather.”
Old rivals Ahzeemah, Certerach and Star Empire fought out the finish of the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, just as they did in a handicap over the same 2810m turf course and distance just over three weeks ago. On that occasion Star Empire came out on top but this time it was Godolphin’s Ahzeemah with Kieren Fallon in the saddle for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. They just held off the determined challenge of Irish raider Certerach, with Star Empire third.
Fallon said: “There was not as much pace on so I was happy to hit the front early in straight and he was very game. He will certainly stay further.”
Bin Suroor added: “He will be better over further and I will talk to Sheikh Mohammed but I think the Dubai Gold Cup over 3200m would be an ideal race for him on World Cup night. He is still a young horse and is hopefully still improving.”
Jockey and trainer doubled up with the equally brave victory of Quick Wit in the concluding 2000m turf handicap.
Christophe Soumillon and Mike De Kock may have been denied with Musir and Star Empire in the big races but they also registered a double apiece. Soumillon always appeared supremely confident on the De Kock-trained Kavanagh in the opening 1200m turf handicap and the pair quickened well to lead 200m out and post a comfortable victory.
Runner-up in the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint (all-weather) on his previous start, he was opening his UAE account at the fourth time of asking and Soumillon said: “That is the perfect start to what we hope will be a good evening. I was always going best and it was just a case of timing the challenge right.”
They then followed up with Rerouted in a 1400m all-weather handicap to register a second course and distance win this year.
The Spanish challengers opened their 2013 account with the last-gasp success of Plantagenet in a 2000m Tapeta handicap named in honour of 2010 Dubai World Cup winner Gloria De Campeao who won the world’s richest horse race in the colours of the Haras Estrela Energia, the generous sponsor of the whole card. It was a second course and distance win for the horse who also won a similar race last February.
Jose Martinez was in the saddle for trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta. The jockey said: “He is a very nice horse and quickened well for me. It was not a fast pace and he would have preferred a faster gallop.”
Soumillon and Fallon, who both claimed doubles on the night, were also given riding suspensions, relating to race 1 and race 2 respectively, which will not rule them out of Super Saturday or Dubai World Cup day.
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