Dubai trainer Satish Seemar made a successful visit to China to claim the third running of the Longines-sponsored Chengdu Dubai International Cup with Zabeel Stables' 9-year-old Start Right (GB) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}).
Third in last year's race to recent G1 Dubai World Cup fourth Special Fighter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Start Right was able to claim his first victory since 2010 in partnership with Richard Mullen. The race proved a triumph for veteran campaigners, with fellow 9-year-old Jutland (GB) (Halling) from the Doug Watson stable taking second from Start Right's stable-mate Layali Al Andalus (GB) (Halling), who is also nine.
The 2218-metre contest did not pass without incident, however, as Skygazer (Ire) (Echo Of Light {GB}) unseated jockey Tadhg O'Shea in the stalls and ran loose throughout the race.
“It's about time,” said assistant trainer Bhupat Seemar. “We've been coming here for the last two years, but this is our first winner. Start Right is always very consistent and he was third in this last year. The loose horse actually helped him because he goes to the front and stops. Layali Al Andulas ran a good race too, finishing third so it's been a great trip.”
The five races on the card at Jinma Lake Racecourse were worth the equivalent of just over $600,000. Trainers Musabah Al Muhairi and Ismael Mohammed each enjoyed a double, with Al Muhairi winning the opening Wenjiang Sprint with Damar (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), followed by Court Room (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})'s victory in the Guangsha H. Mohammed's two winners were Stamford (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Meydan H., while Expert (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) took the Wenjiang-Meydan Classic.
Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Shehhi, a board member of major sponsor Meydan Group, said, “The 2016 renewal of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup has been a great success. Now in its third year, this race day is one of the results of the ongoing relationship that exists between Meydan Group and the Government of Chengdu.”
He added, “We are very happy to be here once again to share our knowledge and passion for horse racing with the people of this city and further strengthen the international ties between our two groups and our two countries.”
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