Tom Marquand times it right as Deep Monster claims first Japanese win in Amir Trophy in Qatar

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Deep Monster and Tom Marquand overwhelmed some big international rivals when staying on strongly to land Qatar's biggest thoroughbred race, the $2.5 million Amir Trophy at Al Rayyan in Doha. 

Smuggled away on the rail just behind the pace set by Goliath, Deep Monster was sent to the front halfway up the straight and the eight-year-old battled all the way to the line to hold off the long-time leader by a neck, while Giavellotto ran on from a long way back to be third. 

"We had the most beautiful run round, drawn one and just inside Goliath, who was a possible pace angle," said Marquand. "But I was really impressed with how this horse has delivered. He's only recently won his first Group race and is just stepping up with age.

"The Japanese contingent know how to deliver their horses off the plane and this guy was absolutely on the money."

Deep Monster has been something of a late bloomer for Yasutoshi Ikee, the trainer of Orfevre and whose father Yasuo directed the racing career of this horse's legendary sire, Deep Impact. 

"Two years ago I brought a horse here called Zeffiro, who was second," said Ikee. "Although the ground here is firm I felt it was still softer than in Japan and so I thought the ground would suit Deep Monster as well. 

"His condition here was perfect and Tom rode perfectly, just as I expected him to."

Tom Marquand landed the $2.5m Amir Trophy on Deep MonsterCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

There was British success from Quinault, who landed the Dukhan Sprint in the hands of Marco Ghiani for Stuart Williams. 

The game looked up for the ultra-tough six-year-old after he was passed in the straight by the locally trained veteran Taxiwala, but Quinault battled back inside the final furlong. 

"He's an absolute superstar for us," said Williams, who has sent out Quinault to win 12 times. "He's got an amazing will to win and if it's close, he just wants it."

Make Me King ensured that Qatari powerhouse Wathnan Racing enjoyed success in the main supporting race on the thoroughbred section of the card, holding off Holloway Boy to score for Hamad Al Jehani in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup. 

Wathnan's Lippo De Carrere sprang a minor surprise in the Amir Sword for purebred Arabians, getting the better of Al Ghadeer under Maxime Guyon in the $2.5m feature of the four-day festival. 

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