Heavy Metal (GB) brought up a Group-race double at Meydan for his sire Exceed And Excel (Aus) when running away with the G3 Burj Nahaar to strike by six and a half lengths from the German-trained Ross (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), with Godolphin's Alabaster (Medaglia d'Oro) another half-length back in third.
An enterprising ride from Mickael Barzalona saw the 7-year-old driven to the front in the early stages and asked to kick clear of his rivals just over the halfway point. The opposition were caught napping as Salem bin Ghadayer's charge skipped readily clear to post his second successive win at Meydan following his Feb. 16 victory in the InsideOut H., also over a mile.
Having also won at the track on Jan. 26, Heavy Metal, winner of the G2 Richmond S. for Mark Johnston as a juvenile, was posting his eleventh career success in 52 starts to push his earnings over the £500,000 mark. His target now is the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night.
Mickael Barzalona has been Heavy Metal's willing accomplice in his last five starts, which include three victories, and was full of praise for his latest effort, saying, “He's a lovely horse, he picked up as soon as I asked him. He just did it very well. He jumps well, travels, and always runs a good race.”
The jockey added, “He wasn't very fit at the beginning of the year and has been improving with every run. He's just a better horse. Three weeks will be a big break for him now, and I'm sure Salem and the guys will have him there [for the Godolphin Mile] in good shape.”
Pedigree notes
Bred by Darley, Heavy Metal was the second foal of the classy South African galloper Rock Opera (SAf) (Lecture), who won the G1 Alan Robertson Fillies' Championship at Scottsville for Alec Laird before taking third in the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas of 2006.
Heavy Metal's full-brother Indie Rock (GB) was placed at two last year for Mark Johnston. Rock Opera has a 2-year-old colt by Dubawi (Ire) and yearling colt by Invincible Spirit (Ire). She was covered last year by Shamardal.
Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
BURJ NAHAAR SPONSORED BY EMIRATES HOLIDAYS-G3, $200,000, MEY, 3-4, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 8f, 1:37.19, ft.
1–HEAVY METAL (GB), 126, g, 7, by Exceed and Excel (Aus)
1st Dam: Rock Opera (SAf) (G1SW-SAf & SP-UAE, $115,777), by Lecture
2nd Dam: Drummer Girl (SAf), by Al Mufti
3rd Dam: Swinging Girl (SAf), by Mullineaux
O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Darley (GB);
T-Salem bin Ghadayer; J-Mickael Barzalona. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: GSW-Eng, 52-11-8-0, $844,859. Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ross (Ire), 126, h, 5, Acclamation (GB)–Ronja, by El Corredor.
O-Stall Domstadt; B-Dr T Grewe (IRE); T-Peter Schiergen.
$40,000.
3–Alabaster, 126, h, 5, Medaglia d'Oro–Lady Pegasus, by
Fusaichi Pegasus. O-Godolphin; B-Darley (KY); T-Saeed bin
Suroor. $20,000.
Margins: 6HF, HF, 1HF.
Also Ran: Stormardal (Ire), Power Blade (Kor), Shamaal Nibras, Stunned (GB), Le Bernardin, Ennobled Friend, Lindo Amor (Arg), Nathr, Brex Drago (Ity), Polar River.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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