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INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Dubai: Will Maftool and Mubtaahij bring their rivalry to Churchill? Godolphin's Maftool (Hard Spun) and the Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaahij (Dubawi) fought out a spine-tingling finish in last Thursday's U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3), drawing 10 3/4 lengths clear of third and stamping themselves as a pair of quality three-year-olds. Both U.S. Triple Crown nominees, the duo had competed in Meydan's Guineas trial, with a different result. Mubtaahij rolled to a five-length victory in track-record time that day, with a slow-starting Maftool a creditable third in the circumstances. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor prescribed a visor for Maftool, and the headgear worked as hoped in the Guineas. Quickest out of the gate this time, Maftool was right in the game from the beginning and stalked alongside Mubtaahij. Despite covering more ground than his rival, Maftool was traveling at least as well, and their match race began in earnest turning for home. Maftool's turn of foot was a touch better, but Mubtaahij stayed on relentlessly and inched back on the inside. Indeed, for a few strides, they appeared to be Dubai's answer to Dortmund (Big Brown) versus Firing Line (Line of David) in the Robert B. Lewis (G2). Unlike Firing Line, however, Maftool would not succumb, and unlike Dortmund, Mubtaahij could not enforce his will. A subtext to their duel was the place of their trainers in the U.A.E. Guineas record book. De Kock led the table with five wins going into this renewal, while bin Suroor had four. By the margin of Maftool's head, bin Suroor tied de Kock as the race's top trainer. The archrivals emerged with great credit in a sparkling 1:37.69, just off the track record for the metric mile (see below). Judging by his pedigree, and the way he conducted himself late, Mubtaahij could be thought to have a slim advantage in their upcoming bouts. The ensuing two legs of the U.A.E. Triple Crown, the March 7 Al Bastakiya and the March 28 U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), are about 1 3/16-mile affairs. But note that Maftool's jockey, Paul Hanagan, believed that he was idling in front and actually let Mubtaahij get closer. Hanagan told the Godolphin website that Maftool "will get further -- no danger." The acid test for that hypothesis will come later in the Carnival. Either way, since the U.A.E. Derby offers a total of 170 points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1), Maftool and Mubtaahij could earn enough points to carry their rivalry to Churchill Downs. Throwing down the gauntlet: Tamarkuz (Speightstown) signaled that he'll be formidable in the Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) on World Cup night with another rout, and another record, at this track and trip in the Firebreak S. (UAE-G3). His previous romp in a January 22 handicap in 1:37.47, along with a couple of suggestive formlines, hinted that he was ready for a bigger stage. In the Firebreak, the Musabah al Muhairi charge seized the opportunity to prove the point. Tamarkuz again used his early foot to good effect, delivered the coup de grace with a decisive spurt, and lowered his own mark to 1:37.45. As discussed when tabbing him as "one to follow," the lightly-raced five-year-old is beautifully bred and just now blossoming. Déjà vu: It was 2013 all over again as the old warriors Reynaldothewizard (Speightstown) and Krypton Factor (Kyllachy) ran one-two in the Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3). Two years ago, "Reynaldo" beat then-defending champion Krypton Factor in both the Mahab al Shimaal (UAE-G3) and Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1). Even with Meydan's switch from Tapeta to dirt, the elder statesmen of the Carnival sprint scene are still in the forefront. Krypton Factor merits special commendation, considering that he was reappearing from a four-month break and trying dirt for the first time. Yet the Fawzi Nass runner fought on valiantly. Reynaldo was making his second start back, having landed the January 15 Dubawi at the same about six-furlong trip. He too deserves extra credit in the Al Shindagha, for he broke a bit slowly and took the overland route. But the venerable sprinters aren't getting any younger. Reynaldo is a ripe old nine, and Krypton Factor is seven. The result of the Al Shindagha thus serves to entice international challengers, including Hong Kong dirt maestro Rich Tapestry (Holy Roman Emperor). Runner-up in last year's Golden Shaheen on Tapeta, Rich Tapestry just posted a fluent win in a Sha Tin trial last Friday. He is expected to have a prep run on his local dirt track March 1. One to follow: Teletext (Empire Maker) brought a high level of French form into the about 1 1/2-mile turf handicap, but wound up a rusty seventh off the bench. Near the top weight under 131 pounds, he was no threat to the Godolphin trifecta of Songcraft (Singspiel), Al Saham (Authorized) and Excellent Result (Shamardal). The Pascal Bary pupil is eligible to improve considerably ahead of his bigger targets. And as a four-year-old with a mere six starts under his belt, Teletext is an unexposed sort whose ceiling is yet unknown. Third in the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) in a bog, he missed by a neck to Ectot (Hurricane Run) in the September 14 Prix Niel (Fr-G2) last time, defeating Secretariat (G1) and Cox Plate (Aus-G1) hero Adelaide (Galileo). Draw a line through it: Two of the Firebreak also-rans, Darwin (Big Brown) and Romansh (Bernardini), deserve a pass. Darwin had not been seen on dirt since finishing fourth in the 2012 Nashua (G2) for Todd Pletcher, which feels like a lifetime ago now. Plying his trade on turf in the interim for Aidan O'Brien, the five-year-old was debuting for de Kock off a four-month layoff, and he tired badly. Romansh, formerly with Tom Albertrani, never had a chance after clipping heels early in this Dubai premiere. Jockey Mickael Barzalona promptly took care of him, allowing him to gallop in his own time. Apparently none the worse for wear, Romansh has been re-entered in a Thursday handicap by new trainer Salem bin Ghadayer. Developments in Saudi Arabia and Japan: Ron the Greek (Full Mandate) was in a league of his own in last Saturday's Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, extending his winning streak in Riyadh to four and stating his case for the World Cup. Tragically, several horses in the latter part of the field were involved in a horrible spill. That added a fresh layer of grief to the nation's marquee race, which had been postponed in the wake of King Abdullah's passing, and renamed in his honor. Ron the Greek races for the late king's sons, making for a poignant World Cup if he can carry off the $10 million prize at Meydan. Although his last three races have come at about 1 1/2 miles, we saw what he can do at 1 1/4 miles in the 2012 Santa Anita H. (G1) and 2013 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). And remember that he upset Wise Dan (Wiseman's Ferry) at 1 1/8 miles in the 2012 Stephen Foster (G1). Admittedly, Ron the Greek is at the advanced age of eight, but trainer Nicholas Bachalard has him in sparkling form. Harp Star (Deep Impact), last year's champion three-year-old filly in Japan, is best known for rallying too late in both the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) and Japan Cup (Jpn-G1). So according to Racing Post, trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda instructed jockey Yuga Kawada to position her closer in Sunday's Kyoto Kinen (Jpn-G2), her prep for the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1). But Harp Star didn't respond to the change in tactics and trudged home a one-paced fifth. All-world jockey Ryan Moore has the mount in the Sheema, and it will be fascinating to see if he can provide the missing spark. On tap: Cape Verdi (UAE-G2) victress Cladocera (Oasis Dream) is the one to beat in Thursday's Balanchine (UAE-G2), and the Dubai Millennium S. pits Godolphin's Hunter's Light (Dubawi) against "one to follow" Umgiyo (Danehill Dancer) from the de Kock yard. Also, Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G1) prospects are set for a hot-looking turf dash. On Saturday at Gulfstream Park, dual Eclipse Award winner Main Sequence (Aldebaran) warms up for the Sheema in the Mac Diarmida (G2). And on Sunday, World Cup night clues could be on offer in the February S. (Jpn-G1) at Tokyo as well as the lucrative Singapore Cup at Kranji, featuring Parranda (English Channel).
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