Gloria De Campeao: gutsy winner of Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge
PICTURE: Dubai Racing Club/Andrew WatkinsGloria De Campeao strikes in highlight
Report: UAE, Thursday
Meydan: Maktoum Challenge Round I (Group 3) 1m, AW, 4yo+
LAST year's World Cup runner-up Gloria De Campeao (Pascal Bary/Tiago Pereira) left his mark on his return to Dubai on Thursday with a gutsy victory in Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge, Group 3 highlight of the opening night at futuristic Meydan.
The ultra-tough six-year-old - sent off a 12-1 chance with British bookmakers - powered home up the rail to take the $200,000 feature from thefast-finishing Forgotten Voice.
Last year's Royal Hunt Cup winner came from the clouds under Ryan Moore to take second in the final 50 yards, beaten only a half-length in the end, the pair pulling clear of the remainder.
Pascal Bary: second Dubai winner
PICTURE: Mark CranhamWinning trainer Pascal Bary had saddled only one previous winner in Dubai - and that was also Gloria De Campeao, who won a handicap last February at Nad Al Sheba.
"He ran very well in this last year before tiring in the closing stages and has always thrived in Dubai," said the trainer.
Gloria De Campeao is the leading light in Bary's select string of former Brazilian-trained horses, all of whom represent owner Stefan Friborg and his Estrela Energia stable.
Ridden by regular jockey Tiago Pereira, the horse was under pressure early in the straight, but stuck to his guns on the rail, showing that he acts just as well on the new Meydan all-weather strip as the old Nad Al Sheba dirt. For good measure, this versatile performer's only Group 1victory was achieved on turf - in last year's Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji.
"This has been his target since the summer and hopefully we will be back for the 2010 Dubai World Cup and be very competitive. As you saw, the horse is brave and relishes a fight."
Back in third in the 1m Tapeta contest was Saudi Arabian visitor Consul General, the mount of Kieren Fallon, ahead of Godolphin's Midshipman, who tired in the final furlong after looking likely to collect early in the home straight.
The British pair Premio Loco and Without A Prayer were not disgraced in fifth and sixth.
But Godolphin's My Indy did not seem to like the all-weather surface and limped home last as he attempted to repeat last year's victory on dirt.
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