Meydan: 'This opens up options' - Algiers halved in price for Dubai World Cup after another Group 2 romp

Algiers won Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge in the same style he won the first round at the track last month with his latest romp prompting Paddy Power to cut him to 6-1 (from 12) for next month’s Dubai World Cup.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s progressive six-year-old overcame a wide trip and a step up in distance in scintillating fashion to score by six lengths under James Doyle.

“That was pretty good wasn’t it," the winning rider told Racing TV. "I knew it was going to be a tricky race to ride. It’s the furthest he’s been on dirt but we just wanted to learn something today. He overraced really so to achieve what he’s done off the back of that shows he has a serious engine.”

“This horse is the best dirt horse that we have in the UAE and he’s given them a thrashing over two different trips. It’s exciting and this opens up options whether it’s here or in Saudi Arabia or both.”

Moonlight shines

The Group 2 Cape Verdi turned into a battle of the moonlights in which With The Moonlight made her first start in Dubai a winning one when getting up to deny follow Godolphin-owned runner White Moonlight.

The mile trip looked to be the minimum for the daughter of Frankel, who won the Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks on her travels last year, and was suited by a decent pace set by the eventual runner=up. The victory was a fourth in the past five years in the contest for trainer Charlie Appleby who indicated that With The Moonlight would probably step up in trip next time.

“With The Moonlight is a really good filly," winning jockey William Buick said to Racing TV. “With The Moonlight is a really good filly. This was a nice place to start her back. She was taking on some racefit fillies and did it well.”

Appleby and Doyle, who combined to win the opening 1m4f handicap with First Ruler, completed trebles when Valiant Prince just got up to land the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes.

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