Vazirabad the hat-trick hero as he makes history with scintillating success

Daylight had not even passed on World Cup night and the 50,000-strong crowd had witnessed history as Vazirabad became the first thoroughbred to win three times at the meeting by landing a hat-trick in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.

The six-year-old son of Manduro, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, did it in style too, breaking the track record under Christophe Soumillon.

A strong gallop set by two of the five Godolphin runners, Red Galileo and Frontiersman, ensured stamina proved pivotal and Vazirabad powered home in the straight to defeat Sheikhzayedroad by a length. He was good value for the win too.

The feat of winning three times on World Cup night had only been achieved by two purebred Arabians, Alanudd and Madjani.Royer-Dupre, who has trained a winner on World Cup night in the last four years, said: “That was fantastic. He’s a wonderful horse and Christophe rode him so well yet again, as it’s not easy to come from behind like he does.

“We’re always delighted to have the chance to come here, so to come here for the last three years and see him do what he does is magnificent.”

Temperatures peaked at 36C in the afternoon and Royer-Dupre believes the training regime that Vazirabad had undergone in the build-up to the race was key to his convincing performance.

Vazirabad (Christophe Soumillon) wins the Dubai Gold CupDubai 31.3.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: “It’s so important to know the place well – Vazirabad loves it here and after years of experience, we know how to train him once we’re over here as that can be key in this climate.

“We were sure he was in much better form than last year – he was much more relaxed this time around and the race suited him really well. It was perfection for him.”

Royer-Dupre ruled out a crack at the WH Stayers’ Million bonus, on offer to a stayer that wins one of four designated early-season prizes, then the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and the sponsor's Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup, earlier in the week, claiming it is too much for any horse.

Nevertheless, he still has his sights on the Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood contests.

Georges Rimaud, racing manager to owner the Aga Khan, said: “We were never worried watching the race as Christophe knows the horse so well and has given him another wonderful ride.

“The race was very similar to last year. The good pace suits him so well and now we’ll head to Ascot.”

Paddy Power shortened Vazirabad, a three-time winner at the highest level in France, to 8-1 (from 10) for the Ascot Gold Cup on June 21 and instantly made him 5-2 to repeat the feat in the Dubai Gold Cup for a fourth time next year.

As the race continued at a relentless pace down the back straight, Frankie Dettori started to niggle Ascot Gold Cup hero Big Orange, who weakened to a well-beaten twelfth, while Dal Harraild and Torcedor finished in rear.

Sheikhzayedroad: ran another brave race to finish secondCredit: Mark Cranham

There was particular encouragement from third-placed Rare Rhythm, despite Vazirabad reversing the form with Charlie Appleby’s stayer, who defeated the three-time Gold Cup hero in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy at the start of the month.

Meydan regular Sheikhzayedroad, named after the most famous thoroughfare in the UAE connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi, motored home to take second place on his fifth start on World Cup night, leaving trainer David Simcock absolutely delighted and work rider Katy Reed in tears.

Previously ninth and third in last year’s renewal, split by a fifth and eighth place finish in the Sheema Classic, the five-time Group-race winner knows this place better than most.

Reed said: “I’m overjoyed to watch him do everyone proud yet again. He’s nine years old and goes from strength to strength each year.

“I’m so proud of him. He just loves the heat out here. He’s thrived from his first race to today – he’s fantastic.”

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