DUBAI // Trade Storm was the impressive winner of the Group 2 Zabeel Mile, the 1,600m turf feature at the ninth meeting of this year's Dubai World Cup Carnival on Sunday night, recording his second Carnival win having landed an 1,800m handicap two weeks ago.
Slowly into stride under Jamie Spencer, the David Simcock-trained five year old was last as the eight runners turned into the straight at Meydan Racecourse 400m out. Unlike two weeks ago when he challenged wide, Spencer took a daring route between rivals this time with his mount responding well and they led from 50m out.
Spencer was able to ease down before the line and said: "This horse has some turn of foot and that was very impressive indeed from the saddle. I was a bit farther back than I planned, but he has won easily in the end. The Dubai weather and routine has really suited him."
As is so often the case, the longest race on the card produced an exciting finish with Godolphin's Ahzeemah coming out on top of a titanic struggle with his old adversaries Certerach, who finished second, and Star Empire, to win the 2,810m Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on the turf.
The trio have met three times this season and have been separated by the narrowest of margins on each occasion with Star Empire winning a course and distance handicap from Ahzeemah the last time they met three weeks ago. Ahzeemah was making it third time lucky in the UAE with Kieren Fallon riding him home to the delight of trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
"Ahzeemah deserved that after two good runs in defeat, and he has shown a great attitude and a touch of class," said bin Suroor.
"He is only four and I think he will be better over 3,200m, so the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night would look the ideal race but I will have to discuss that with Sheikh Mohammed [bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai]."
Owner, trainer and jockey completed a double with Quick Wit taking the concluding 2,000m turf handicap.
In the opening race, a 1,200m turf handicap, Christophe Soumillon recorded a first success at the fourth attempt in the UAE on-board Kavanagh after hitting the front 200m out.
He is trained by Mike de Kock, as is Rerouted, who recorded a second 1,400m Tapeta victory of the Carnival to give his trainer and jockey Soumillon a quick double.
Soumillon said: "I was always going to win on Kavanagh who travelled supremely well throughout and then quickened nicely.
"It was a good performance. Rerouted missed the break so I was further back than I planned but once we pulled out in the straight I always thought we would get there."
Spain opened their account with the last gasp success of Plantagenet in a 2,000m Tapeta handicap.
THE WINNERS
Race 1 Energia Elegante, handicap, winner: Kavanagh (Christophe Soumillon)
Race 2 Linton, handicap, winner: Rerouted (Soumillon)
Race 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, Group 3, winner: Ahzeemah (Kieren Fallon)
Race 4 Gloria De Campeao, handicap, winner: Plantagenet (Jose Martinez)
Race 5 Zabeel Mile, Group 2, winner: Trade Storm (Jamie Spencer)
Race 6 Natagora, handicap, winner: Quick Wit (Fallon)
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