THE MAURITIUS TURF CLUB CHAMP DE MARS RACECOURSE

Inaugurated on June 25th 1812 the Champ de Mars racecourse, is situated in Port Louis, the Capital City and is the 2nd oldest racecourse in the world and the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere. It was initially launched by Colonel Edward Alured Draper in order to promote reconciliation and fraternity between the French settlers and the newly arrived English on the island at that time. Today, horse racing is organized by The Mauritius Turf Club and remains undeniably the most popular sport in Mauritius attracting approximately 35,000 people for the big racing events. In 1984, for the most prestigious race, the Maiden Cup, over 100,000 people thronged the Champ de Mars to watch one of the most remembered races ever run in Mauritius.

There are four distinct classics in the year: The Duchess of York Cup, The Barbe Cup, The Maiden Cup and The Duke of York Cup commonly known as the ‘Gold Cup’.

The Mauritius Turf Club receives international recognition as the Horse racing Authority of Mauritius and the decisions taken by the Club are complied with internationally. International Jockeys’ Day, run first in 1984, is an International race meeting festival when world renowned jockeys such as Frankie Dettorie, Yutaka Take, Christophe Soumillon, Dominique Boeuf, Pat Eddery, to name a few, have ridden. For the first time in Mauritian history, a two-day meeting The International Jockeys’ Weekend was held in 2007, which was a resounding success.

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HENRYTHENAVIGATOR ADDS ANOTHER
EUROPEAN CLASSIC TO BALLYDOYLE

Mrs. John Magnier’s Henrythenavigator (3 c Kingmambo - Sequoyah, by Sadler’s Wells) stormed home late to deny New Approach and land the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) at Newmarket. The coolmore colt Henrythenavigator defeated Champion 2yo New Approach in a thrilling renewal of England’s first classic of the year. New Approach had galloped clear off a quick tempo until Johnny Murtagh brought Henrythenavigator from the back of the 15-horse field to nail the favourite by a nose.

Henrythenavigator is a Kentucky-bred Kingmambo colt who won the 2007 Coventry Stakes (Gr.2) at Royal Ascot but he was no match for New Approach when they met in the Futurity Stakes (Gr.1) in August at the Curragh. Murtagh is in his first season as stable rider for Ballydoyle and he helped Aidan O’Brien to a fifth 2000 Guineas win. “Johnny gave him a masterful ride,” O’Brien said. “He played the horse to his strengths and I’m delighted.”

Bred by Western Bloodstock, Henrythenavigator has won three of five career starts and he also finished second to Saoirse Abu in the Phoenix Stakes (Gr.1) last summer. He is out of Group 1 winner Sequoyah and is a full brother to Group 3 winner and Irish and French classic-placed Queen Cleopatra.

Sequoyah is herself a full sister to Listen, the Irish highweight juvenile filly of 2007. This is the family of Irish 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) highweight Saffron Walden (Sadler’s Wells), German highweight Dolphin Street (Bluebird) and Canadian (Gr.1) queen Insight (Sadler’s Wells).

Trainer Aidan O’Brien explained afterwards that he had always rated Henrythenavigaor highly. “He always was an exceptional horse at home,” he said. “The times he got beat it was winter ground. He is a real fast ground horse, a real miler with loads of sprinting speed. We were worried it was his first run because the horses have been coming on after their runs.

Jim Bolger was gracious in defeat but he was far from disappointed with New Approach “He ran a great race and the winner has obviously come on a nice bit since last year,” he said.

NATAGORA WINS THE 1000 GUINEAS AT NEWMARKET

Natagora made all the running to win the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. The 11-4 favourite, trained in France by Pascal Bary and ridden by Christophe Lemaire, was out of the stalls sharply to set the pace, with Muthabara second. Muthabara faded but Natagora held on to win by half-a-length from Spacious, with Saoirse Abu finishing third. Nahoodh was travelling beautifully late on but was trapped behind the leaders and found herself unable to mount a proper challenge.

The Divine Light French-bred, who first advertised her talents to a British audience when winning the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at The Natwest Rowley Mile last September, was sent off the 11/4 favourite and was the second French Group winner of the day following Getaway’s triumph in the stanjamesuk.com Jockey Club Stakes.

Winning rider Christophe Lemaire said: “I can’t believe it. I had so much confidence, the only thing for me was to try to get a good position without using too much energy. She gave all she had and is a fantastic filly.”

Bary suffered heartbreak in the 2003 edition of the race when Six Perfections found all sorts of trouble and covered most of the Rowley Mile before flashing home just too late to collar Russian Rhythm. But this time Natagora was never headed and an elated Bary said: “She has done something fantastic. They all came to her, but she ran to the end.

“She is a fantastic filly. I have dreamed about this since last October. She is very brave and she moves very well; even when she is in front she doesn’t pull or anything like that.”

Bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe, who bought the filly for her owner Stefan Friborg and was representing him in his absence, said: “Her owner is at home recovering from surgery. He listened to the race live and is so pleased. This is wonderful.”

SIZZLING ZARKAVA RULES SUPREME IN
FRENCH 1000 GUINEAS

Zarkava unleashed her potent finishing kick under Christophe Soumillon to maintain superstar status with a Classic success in the French 1000 at Longchamp. The Aga Khan’s daughter of Zamindar has mopped on all four of her starts to date, and on each occasion displayed an electric turn of foot. Victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day marked her out as something special and she warmed up for the French 1000 Guineas without breaking sweat over the course and distance last month.

With her unbeaten record in tact, she was sent off the 4-9 favourite and was settled in rear by Soumillon after her trademark slow start. Halfway To Heaven, representing Ballydoyle, did her part in setting a ferocious pace which helped Zarkava set a new race record. Once pulled out into clear air, Alain de Royer-Dupre’s charge skipped clear within a matter of strides and opened up a two-length margin at the line. Kayaba ran well in behind to finish second, with Aidan O’Brien’s Halfway To Heaven taking third.

Soumillon said: “She always jumps out of the gate like that and if you look at all of the races, she has ran in before she has been slowly away from the gate. After that she followed the pace, and this was the best day for her turn of foot. I didn’t have to push her along too much as the pace was good and she was the best today. “

His Highness the Aga Khan said: “I get the feeling from her races that she will stay further, and it is great to have another super filly.”

FALCO STORMS TO FRENCH GUINEAS GLORY

Rio De La Plata and River Proud flew the flag for Britain when overcoming difficult draws to take second and third behind 20-1 outsider Falco in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp. The pair were drawn 16th and 14th respectively - although the latter was forced to start from gate 20 on the wide outside after becoming troublesome once loaded into the stall. River Proud was second-last turning into the sun-kissed home straight and appeared to have an insurmountable task on his hands. But Richard Quinn conjured a sweet tune from the Craven Stakes fourth, who motored through virtually the whole field to narrowly lose second to Godolphin’s Rio De La Plta. While Quinn was stoking up his mount, Olivier Peslier had already made his move on the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained winner and the Pivotal colt shot clear halfway down the home run.

A recent winner in the Parisian suburbs over the mile trip, Falco stretched clear once in command to sail across the line three lengths to the good of Rio De La Plata. River Proud, who started as a 25-1 chance, damaged his original stall when misbehaving and missed out by a short head on second place. Cole accepted the defeat on the chin and said: “You have to behave in the stalls and he hasn’t, which has probably cost him the French 2000 Guineas.

Peslier was delighted with the way the race panned out for Falco. The winning jockey said: “My horse was always going well. He likes a good gallop and they went a good gallop throughout.

Rio De La Plata ran an encouraging race for Godolphin, who have yet to strike in Europe this season, with the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner finishing well under Frankie Dettori.

With a field a 19 runners, a rough race ensued and one of the chief casualties was Aidan O’Brien’s Georgebernardshaw, who finished a well-beaten 10th. The Ballydoyle handler said: “It was a rough race. He was caught in the middle and got a bump or two.”

DUBAI WORLD CUP (Gr.1)
CURLIN CROWNED THE BEST IN THE WORLD

America’s champion Curlin, put his rivals to the sword with an emphatic win in the Dubai World Cup.

Such was the sheer command and authority of his performance, his jockey Robbie Albarado hardly had an anxious moment as the US Champion travelled supremely well throughout the race, stalking the lead before the American rider let him go into the lead in the straight. The race was over in a matter of strides as Curlin pulled clear of his toiling rivals to take the US$6million showpiece by seven and three quarters lengths without being fully extended.

There was a long fought out duel for second place between Johnny Murtagh on Asiatic Boy and another US challenger Well Armed and Aaron Gryder, with the runner-up spot eventually going to Asiatic Boy. AP Arrow finished fourth, but none of the others could get in a blow. The disappointment of the race was the Japan Cup Dirt winner Vermillion, fourth in the race last year, who finished last of all, with jockey Yutaka Take unable to offer any reason for the run.

A delighted Robbie Albarado said; “It’s a great privilege for me to be on him. What a horse. I just show up and ride him and get the glory, but everybody works so hard behind the scenes and he does it all on raceday. It’s easy when you ride a great horse like Curlin.”

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DUTROW Jr AND PRADO DOUBLE UP WITH BENNY THE BULL
IN THE DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN (Gr.1)

New York trainer Richard Dutrow Jr and legendary jockey Edgar Prado combined for a second victory on Dubai World Cup night when Benny The Bull blitzed his rivals in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1). The two had earlier won the Godolphin Mile with Diamond Stripes but it was the feature dirt track sprint success which made the night truly memorable for the Americans.

Benny The Bull was ridden patiently by Prado and unleashed a superb closing burst from 400 metres out to overhaul compatriot Idiot Proof with Star Crowned, a modest $2,000 purchase last year, finishing third.

The five-year-old entire scorched over the 1200 metres course in 1.08.7, which was 0.6 seconds outside the track record mark set by Big Jag in 2000. Assistant trainer Michelle Nevin again found herself in the winner’s stall representing Dutrow who stayed in Florida for the Derby where he has the highly rated Big Brown running. Nevin said the success was no great surprise.

“Both horses have trained really well since they’ve been here and we expected them to run well. I was delighted with Diamond Stripes but I’m so proud of Benny (The Bull),” she said.

Prado was ecstatic after opting to come to Dubai for the first time. “It’s a great thrill. I was confident in the run as I had Idiot Proof in my sights all the way. Tonight my horse had to prove he could do it against the world’s best and he did,” Prado said.

SUN SHINES IN THE DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (Gr.1)

South African trainer Mike de Kock claimed his second feature for the night when four-year-old mare Sun Classique upstaged her male rivals in the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1). It was a great night for his countrymen as de Kock’s double was complemented by fellow countryman Herman Brown winning the Dubai Duty Free, and Kevin Shea aboard Sun Classique, joining Anton Marcus as a winning jockey from South Africa.

Indeed it was Shea’s superb ride which secured a ninth career win for the four-year-old mare. She enjoyed the run of the race while the placegetters Viva Pataca and Doctor Dino conceded huge starts and fourth placed Quijano had little luck in the closing stages.

Sun Classique sat fourth with cover from the outset from her favourable draw. And when it was clear after straightening that the leader Spring House was not going to take him any further into the race, Shea was able to ease away from the inside and make his winning move. “This is heaven on earth. She had the perfect trip; she had weight in her favour and was right at the top of her game. What more can I say... she must be one of the best turf fillies in the world,” Shea declared as he returned to scale.

The well-fancied runner-up Viva Pataca came from fifth, last turning for home, with third placed Doctor Dino tracking him into the race. Both finished resolutely but were no match for the winner. Darren Beadman, who rode Viva Pataca said: “He came into the race at the right time. He gave me a great ride all the way and I thought he was going to win. We didn’t quite get there but it was a tremendous effort.”

The winning time of 2:27.45 was just five hundredth outside the track record. Sun Classique, winner of the US$5million Dubai Sheema Classic, is bound for Hong Kong and the UK. “She’s absolutely fine,” said her trainer Mike De Kock. “We will probably go the Irridescence route, and take her to Sha Tin for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.”

JAY PEG TAKES IN THE DUBAI DUTY FREE (Gr.1)

Jay Peg took the US$5million Dubai Duty Free, showing remarkable courage to fight back after being headed by Vodka before repelling another determined thrust from the French filly and runner-up Darjina.

The Mike de Kock-trained Archipenko got up for third, relegating Vodka to fourth, but on top of all that drama, winning rider Anton Marcus had to combat a slipping saddle in the shadow of the post that threatened to unship him as he tried to pull up the victorious Jay Peg. “I thought I was going to fall just after the post,” said Marcus, wearing a huge smile on his face following the Group 1 turf showpiece. “I’m very proud to ride this horse especially as he used to be trained by brother Marcus and is part-owned by brother Selwyn.”

The winner’s time of 1.46.20s was a new course record, though it came as something of a surprise to trainer Herman Brown. “I really didn’t think they went that fast, but anyway it doesn’t matter now. Some people were disappointed with his last run but I really could not split my runners and I knew this horse would fight when it came to a battle. He’s kept improving and I think this shows that you’ve got to train a horse to peak on Dubai World Cup night and not for the beginning of the carnival.” Exclaiming further, “It’s great for the owners also because if you convert this currency into our rand, it amounts to an awful lot.”

MIZZNA DENIES MADJANI’S RECORD BID IN
THE DUBAI KAHAYLA CLASSIC (Gr.1)

Madjani’s bid for a record fourth straight Dubai Kahayla Classic win was thwarted by six-year-old mare Mizzna who had finished third in the race for Purebred Arabians in 2007.

Mizzna continued her outstanding recent form, notched her ninth win from 14 starts, her fifth straight win and protected her mother’s honour when she took the lead at the 200 metres and went on to beat Madjani with Al Moutawakel in third place. The winning mare’s dam Unchained Melody, who raced under the name of Alanudd in the UAE, won the Dubai Kahayla Classic three years running from 1997 - a feat which had only been matched by Madjani in the past three editions. Madjani was left as equal record-holder after the Dubai World Cup night opener but was brave in defeat.

Mizzna was bred and is raced by Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The mare was expertly ridden by Tadhg O’Shea and in the process delighted all connections including trainer Eric Lemartinel. “I was confident she could win as she’s been going well all year and she keeps improving. She’s much stronger and she’s very relaxed. She’ll be back to defend her crown next year I hope,” Martinel said.

Winning jockey O’Shea was keen to praise the mare. “She was very good and very brave just like her mother. I hit a flat spot about five furlongs (1000 metres) out but I let her have a breather and she really responded,” he said.

DIAMOND EFFORT IN THE GODOLPHIN MILE (Gr.2)

The Godolphin Mile proved a triumph for the USA with Diamond Stripes claiming the major prize in a gritty on-pace performance under Edgar Prado. Prado, who won the 2006 Kentucky Derby on the ill-fated Barbaro rode a masterly race on what was his first ride in the UAE. Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy felt that interference shortly after the start may well have cost Elusive Warning and Godolphin the race.

Diamond Stripes was one of five horses vying for the lead from the outset and they were stretched across the track in spectacular fashion. Prado was one off the fence on Diamond Stripes and biding his time. There was no panic when the Richard Dutrow-trained gelding was headed on straightening, as Prado hadn’t pushed the button. “He fought hard all the way. I was really proud of him,” Prado said.

While Diamond Stripes was rolling on the speed, the runner-up Elusive Warning was back in the ruck after his early check. “He got to the front at the 150 (metres) but then levelled out. He tried hard but that early check might have cost him the race,” McEvoy said.

Trainer Dutrow was represented by his assistant Michelle Nevin who said, “He tends to kind of want to wait on other horses. Edgar (Prado) did a great job of keeping him moving.”

It was a contrasting tale of fortune from the first two riders with luck going Prado’s way. “The main thing was that he broke well and then I comfortably got him into the position I wanted to be,” Prado said.

Diamond Stripes improved his record to six wins from 12 starts and has earned US $600,000 after he claimed the Group 2 prize.

UAE DERBY (Gr.2) DE KOCK TAKES HONOURS WITH
UAE DERBY 1-2 WITH HONOUR DEVIL & ROYAL VINTAGE

The US $2 million UAE Derby, proved a triumph for South African trainer Mike de Kock as he saddled the first two, Honour Devil and Royal Vintage in the Group 2 classic. It was de Kock’s fourth UAE Derby win and his second straight after Asiatic Boy’s success last year. Honour Devil, like Asiatic Boy, is raced by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and the three-year-old colt not surprisingly earned high praise from jockey Johnny Murtagh. “He’s a very nice horse. I liked him from the first time I sat on him and have to say I probably didn’t give him the best ride last start,” Murtagh said. “He showed tonight what a real champion he is,” Murtagh said.

Honour Devil was under pressure and seemingly off the bit 800 metres from home in the Derby but responded well to Murtagh’s urgings to record an emphatic win by four and three quarter lengths from his stablemate with Cocoa Beach three and three quarter lengths further back in third place.

Winning trainer de Kock declared there was not a great deal between his two three-year-olds and is looking forward to them tackling some of the world’s best races later in the season and next year.

“There’s not much between them. The winner is so tough and he’s been given a terrific ride here tonight. He’s just been in the right place in the run and then he showed what a tough horse he is in the straight. The long term plan is the Breeders’ Cup Classic for him and with the second horse we’ll look to the Dubai World Cup here next year.” said a delighted Mike de Kock.

BIG BROWN SWOOPS HOME IN KENTUCKY DERBY

Big Brown went off as the 5-2 favorite in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby and truly obliged with an impressive 4 ¾ length victory over the filly Eight Belles (8-1) and long shot Dennis of Cork (27-1) in the 20 horse field

Breaking from the outside post position of 20, Big Brown made nonsense of all the pre-hype about an outside post by swooping on the pacesetters at the mile post, and pulling away with jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard. Trainer Richard Dutrow had been crowing all week about the chances of his horse, which irritated some other horsemen, but which was a welcome change from the usual guff such as “my horse is ready” or “I expect him to run a big race.” Big Brown is now unbeaten in four starts that he has won by about 34 lengths, and surely by the time you read this he is either well on his way to winning the Triple Crown or has already won it. The winning time was 2:01.82 on a fast track.

The race was marred however by the death of Eight Belles who collapsed on the track breaking both front ankles almost immediately after finishing second beating the third horse by an easy 3 ½ lengths. She had to be euthanized almost immediately after collapsing two furlongs from the winning post. In her brief career, she had five wins from 10 career starts for earnings of $708,000. By all accounts, she was the first horse to be put down in the Kentucky Derby since 1932, although records surprisingly enough are rather murky. It was a bitter day for her trainer Larry Jones who had experienced glory the day before, when his filly Proud Spell had captured the Kentucky Oaks. For jockey Kent Desormeaux, it was his third victory in the race in 15 tries, the other win coming aboard Real Quiet in 1998 and Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000. He had uprooted his family from the comforts of West Coast racing about a year previously to focus on the East Coast, and that is a move that has paid off big time. Of the two other major contenders, both were non factors. Colonel John, the big California hope had beaten nothing at Santa Anita, and finished a dull sixth. Pyro, never got a mention in the race and ended up eighth.

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LIGHT FANTASTIC SHINES IN THE CADBURY GUINEAS (Gr.1)

Light Fantastic, the mighty grey who graduated from the Kyneton Maiden win to Group 1 hero in five weeks, defeated a high-class Guineas field. Light Fantastic’s Guineas preparation was rushed but controlled.

Jockey Craig Newitt had Light Fantastic ($2.60 fav) perfectly placed better than mid-field in the running line for most of the race. He eased Light Fantastic three wide at the 300m and the horse accelerated to the front. Marching ($5.50) gained a split at the 250m and gave chase, but failed by a neck. Playwright ($4.60) muscled for room near the rails but couldn’t reel in Light Fantastic after almost joining him at the 100m.

The spring Cox Plate clash of star three-year-olds Weekend Hussler and Light Fantastic is now Australian racing’s most anticipated meeting. Light Fantastic’s trainer, Mick Price, was also thinking long term, cheekily suggesting McDonald stick to the sprint trips with Weekend Hussler. “I’m a bit nervous about it (meeting Weekend Hussler) but what do you do?” Price said. “I hope they both line up in the Cox Plate. It will be great for racing.”

AJC AUSTRALIAN DERBY (GR.1) STOLEN BY NOM DU JEU

New Zealand raider Nom Du Jeu gave former champion South African jockey Jeff Lloyd his first Australian Group One win when he scored an upset victory in the AJC Australian Derby at Randwick. Two weeks before the Derby at Randwick trackwork, Jeff Lloyd introduced himself to New Zealand trainer Murray Baker. Lloyd then rode his colt Nom Du Jeu in work. He jumped off, turned to Baker and immediately declared: “This horse will win the Derby.’’

Not since 1986 had a Kiwi horse won the 12-furlong Derby. Nom Du Jeu surprised all by a great turn of foot. “This is the best and biggest win of my career,” Lloyd said. “I know I’ve ridden a lot of group I winners back home in South Africa, but this is my first one in Australia, and it’s a race so rich in history; it’s the best.”

The Kiwis were on a roll. Second home was the talented Kiwi Red Ruler, who had been racing well in New Zealand, placing in that country’s recent Derby. He hit the front upon straightening in this race, too, but could not hold his compatriot out. First local horse home was a Victorian named Littorio, who was sensationally backed into favoritism. He was worse than midfield throughout in a slowly run race, and his dour effort suggests he’s a genuine Melbourne Cup (Australian Gr.1) threat later this year.

Rosehill Guineas (Gr.1) winner Dealer Principal was fourth, and his run was top notch. Guillotine, the younger half-brother of 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient, battled on gamely for fifth.

“How’s this, Nom Du Jeu is by a French stallion, he’s owned in Brisbane, trained in New Zealand and ridden by a South African!’’ Baker said Nom Du Jeu is likely to be spelled and be set for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups this year.

HELENE MASCOT PREVAILS IN
MERCEDES-BENZ HONG KONG DERBY THRILLER

Helene Mascot’s class and superior stamina proved decisive as he ground out a narrow victory from Jackpot Delight in a thrilling Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin.

In the Derby, trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Felix Coetzee teamed up to replicate their victory of 2004 with Lucky Owners. Winning owners, the Woo family also savoured a repeat victory having won the race fifteen years ago with Helene Star.

Helene Mascot was widely tipped as the horse to beat in this season’s renewal and was heavily supported into 11/8 favourite. Felix Coetzee bided his time in sixth place behind a solid tempo on the Peintre Celebre-colt and unleashed his winning run as the field wheeled for home. Jackpot Delight, cajoled by Christophe Soumillon gave chase and eyeballed the eventual winner with 150m to race. But the staying prowess of Helene Mascot, sixth in last year’s Epsom Derby when he raced as Salford Mill, came through as Coetzee uncorked another burst while Jackpot Delight’s momentum peaked. A neck separated the pair at the wire with a sizeable three and three quarter lengths back to Green Birdie, trained like the runner-up by Caspar Fownes.

“He’s a terrific horse,” Cruz said of the new champion. “He fights and fights and doesn’t know when he’s beaten. I said after he won the Classic Mile that he is going to be an international star and you’ve just seen the proof of that. The second horse must be pretty special as well because they have come right away from the rest of the field.

“We were lucky to buy him last year. David Elsworth (former trainer) didn’t want to sell but we stepped in with a bid at the right time and he settled in quickly. Three runs now, two wins both in Gr.1 races - it’s hard to top that. Last time in the Derby Trial the pace was too slow. He was too keen and he had a foot problem leading up to the race. But everything went well leading up to today and we were confident.”

ARCHIPENKO GIVES DE KOCK MORE
AUDEMARS PIGUET QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP GLORY

Archipenko produced an unstoppable stretch run under Kevin Shea to mow down some of the world’s best in the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup at Sha Tin.

The South African-trained raider had a comfortable length and three-quarters to spare over French-trained outsider Balius with Hong Kong star Viva Pataca eclipsed in third. Mike de Kock is becoming an increasingly familiar figure at Hong Kong’s International meetings. He won this race two years ago with Irridescence, but despite well-reported confidence from the trainer this week it was Viva Pataca that dominated the betting and Archipenko rewarded his supporters of a return of almost 14-1.

The four-year-old winner had raced 11 times before and had only joined De Kock’s yard in December but, after an unlucky third in the Dubai Duty Free, he has now stamped himself a serious player on the world stage, something confirmed by the super-swift timing of 2 minutes 0.8 seconds.

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