A Class One With Dubai Clues

Sunday's third race up the 1000-metre straight course at Sha Tin was no ordinary Class 1, as it featured a trio of horses who will and, in one case, may make their respective next appearances on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Mar. 26.

Favored in the field of eight was Not Listenin'tome (Aus) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), who was giving his rivals between 13 and 27 pounds on the strength of pair of domestic Group 3 triumphs over the course and distance–the second of those under 133 pounds–and a third placing behind Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint over the metric six furlongs. While those two are bound for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, Super Jockey (NZ) (Sandtrap) was prepping in the C1 for a return trip to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, in which he was an outstanding second to Secret Circle (Eddington) last year. Adding further intrigue to Sunday's heat was the presence of 2014 Al Quoz winner Amber Sky (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), weighted at 116, but with female apprentice Kei Chiong named, was in at a feathery 106.

Indeed, Amber Sky flew the gates and dropped down onto the stands' side rail as Rad (Aus) (Foreplay {Aus}), who also holds an Al Quoz entry, and Super Jockey gave closest chase. Not Listenin'tome was beaten for speed and settled sixth early before working his way into the clear at midway. Amber Sky pressed on with things and came under pressure inside the furlong, but kept on as Rad, Super Jockey and Not Listenin'tome stacked up, in that order, to his outside. Amber Sky dug in gamely and was ultimately headed 50 meters out by Super Jockey, but Not Listenin'tome worked over the top of all of them to take it by a short head in the time of :55.16 (VIDEO).

“He was fractionally underdone, but that's what I wanted to do,” trainer John Moore told South China Morning Post. “Gallant effort considering he carried 133 and still broke 56 [seconds], which would put him one of the near-favorites for Dubai. I think he's a live chance over there.”

SCMP reports that Ryan Moore will have the mount aboard Not Listenin'tome in the Al Quoz. Moore replaced the suspended Chris Hayes on Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) in Saturday's G3 Meydan Sprint and rode the 9-year-old to a close third-place finish.