Rich Tapestry suffered a reversal at the hands of the trail-blazing Muarrab at Meydan Racecourse this afternoon. The locally-trained victor foiled the Hong Kong star in his bid for a second triumph in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (1200m, dirt), Michael Chang’s charge battling on to claim third.
The Holy Roman Emperor eight-year-old broke well enough from gate three in the six-runner contest but was no match for the early speed of the rail-berthed Muarrab, a rival he had beaten a length and a half into second in last month’s course and distance G3 Al Shindagha Sprint.
Rich Tapestry enjoyed a smooth lead last time but on this occasion jockey Gerald Mosse was forced to race second outside the all-the-way winner. Chang’s globe-trotting stalwart never looked at ease as he chased a repeat of his 2014 success.
“The pace was really strong from the gate and I didn’t want to burn myself to try to go faster than him, so I just tried to give myself a chance,” said the Frenchman. “He really respected that and gave a nice blow when I asked him in the straight. He still tried to stretch – I’m very pleased with the horse because he gave his best.”
That best was not enough against the Musabah Al Muhairi-trained winner. The Oasis Dream seven-year-old kicked away under Paul Hanagan to put five and a quarter lengths on the field, and so break American speedster Secret Circle’s track record – set in last year’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen – with a time of 1m 10.20s. Kifaah kept on past Rich Tapestry to take second.
“I think Rich Tapestry’s time from last time to this time would be similar but the winner went much faster and there’s nothing I could do,” said Mosse. “The winner broke the track record. He broke fast and he kicked in the straight – he broke my horse when he kicked.”
Chang was philosophical in defeat and is now looking ahead to the Golden Shaheen on 26 March, a race in which Rich Tapestry has placed second and third in the past two editions.
“You can see the time,” said the trainer. “We could not beat that. I’m not disappointed with my horse, I think he has done his job and now we’ll look ahead to the Golden Shaheen. He always tries hard and he did that again today. He’s an old man and he knows the job better than me so I’ll just keep him fresh.”
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Photo 1:
The Michael Chang-trained Rich Tapestry (yellow cap), ridden by Gerald Mosse, finishes third in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (1200m dirt).
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