DARK Power caused a 66/1 shock in the stc 1351 Cup as Frankie Dettori timed his run to perfection to collar Mubtasim in the dying strides in Riyadh.
???? Two races at @thesaudicup, two wins for Bahrain!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 29, 2020
A great ride from @FrankieDettori sees the Allan Smith-trained Dark Power (66/1) land the £751,880 STC 1351 Sprint Cup, chinning @godolphin's Mubtasim on the line
Results ? https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/9JULrALnIj
Trained in Bahrain by Allan Smith, the grey used to be a decent handicapper for Clive Cox, but was taking his form to a new level with some quality horses left trailing in his wake.
James Doyle tried to make all on Mubtasim and for much of the straight it appeared his tactics had paid off.
Only Dark Power seriously had him in his sights and once Dettori sensed victory, success seemed inevitable as the post approached.
Like Mubtasim trained by Charlie Appleby, Glorious Journey made good late headway to take third.
???? One for Bahrain!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 29, 2020
Fawzi Nass & Adrie de Vries land the opener at @thesaudicup as Port Lions, formerly trained by both Madeleine Tylicki & Mick Halford, denies the gallant Deirdre to make it five wins in as many starts
Results ? https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/Ccz7CCwjgb
In the Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup, the opening contest on the Saudi Cup card, Port Lions edged out Deirdre with For The Top close up in third, for another victory for Bahrain.
Trained by Fawzi Nass, the five-year-old arrived on the back of a four-race winning streak, but his form at home was hard to quantify.
As a result, he was sent off an unconsidered 33/1 chance and when he was slowly away from the stalls he looked to face an even stiffer task.
For The Top attempted to nick a few lengths rounding the home turn under an enterprising ride from Mickael Barzalona, but Oisin Murphy had him in his sights on Deirdre, the odds-on Japanese favourite.
The mare was closing with every stride, only for Port Lions, who was formerly trained in Ireland by Madeleine Tylicki, to come flying down the outside under Shergar Cup regular Adrie de Vries.
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