Almoonqith unveils stamina potential in Nad Al Sheba

On what was his first start in group company and first attempt over a trip longer than 2000 meters, the Mike de Kock-trained Almoonqith (Dynaformer), registered the final leg of a four-timer for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and jockey Paul Hanagan at Meydan Saturday. The 5-year-old was significantly stepping up in trip in the 2810-meter G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, his latest win having taken place in a mile handicap at the same venue Jan. 17. Hanagan was content to sit at the rear of the field, over 20 lengths off the break-neck fractions set by Mark Johnston’s Fire Fighting (Ire) (Soldier Of Fortune {Ire}), and as the leaders began to surrender turning for home, the $725,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase came on the bridle. Almoonqith swept around the pack three wide before being sent to the front at the 400-meters mark and showed plenty of stamina to repel the threatening challenge of Rio Tigre (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a Listed winner in France who was making his second appearance for up-and-coming trainer Salem bin Ghadayer. 

Almoonqith also started his career in France, racing to one win and four places from seven outings for Jean-Claude Rouget. Transferred to Dubai ahead of last year’s Carnival, he won a turf handicap over 1800 meters from three starts. Last year’s winner and odds-on favorite Cavalryman (GB) (Halling) appeared to break down during the race and was pulled up by William Buick before being taken to Dubai Equine hospital according to early reports.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
NAD AL SHEBA TROPHY EMPOWERED BY IPIC-G3, $200,000, MEY, 2-28, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2810mT, 2:54.47, gd. 
1–ALMOONQITH, 128, h, 5, by Dynaformer 
     1st Dam: Bohemian Lady (GSW-US, $423,231), by Carson City 
     2nd Dam: Weekend in Indy, by A.P. Indy 
     3rd Dam: Whow, by Spectacular Bid 
($725,000 yrl ’11 KEESEP). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin 
Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Padua Stables LLC; T-Mike de 
Kock; J-Paul Hanagan: $120,000. Lifetime Record: 
15-4-3-1, $207,174. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Rio Tigre (Ire), 123, c, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–Braziliz, by 
Kingmambo. (€150,000 wnlg ‘11 GOFNOV). 
O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; 
B-Castlemartin Stud & Skymarc Farm (IRE); T-S bin 
Ghadayer. $40,000. 
3–Star Empire (SAf), 128, g, 9, Second Empire 
(Ire)–Lady Maroof (NZ), by Maroof. (R70,000 yrl ‘08 
BSAGYS). O-Mohammed Khaleel Ahmed; B-Sydney A 
Muller, F M Ratner & L M Salzman; T-Mike de Kock. 
$20,000. 
Margins: 1HF, 1HF, 2 3/4. 
Also Ran: Havana Beat (Ire), Meandre (Fr), Layali Al Andalus (GB), Excellent Result (Ire), Ahzeemah (Ire), Fire Fighting (Ire), Indiana Jones (Arg). Also Ran (DNF): Cavalryman (GB). Click for the Racing Post result, the Am West PPs.VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.