Facing some stiff competition, the lightly raced Meshtri (Medaglia d'Oro) prevailed in the G2 Al Maktoum in the colours of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Friday.
In charge once the gates flew, the Michael Costa trainee set the pace while pressed by Desert Wisdom (Dubawi {Ire}). A touch keen once on the backstretch proper, the freewheeling bay never shook off that foe completely. Positions were largely unchanged on the bend, but he was doing it well enough. Desert Wisdom caved prior to the 500-metre mark, but Qareeb (Speightstown) emerged as the main threat in upper stretch, giving the leader no time to rest.
Although he tried hard, Qareeb was always running for second, finishing three lengths behind Meshtri. Talking horse Artorius (Arrogate), flying the Juddmonte flag, got going eventually after being slowly away, but settled for third, another 7 3/4 lengths behind.
“He came out of the Dubai Creek Mile really well,” said jockey Ben Coen of the winner. “He was stronger at home, felt fresh, and we were very confident coming into the race. There were a couple of talking horses, but we wouldn't have swapped our lad.
“He's comfortable at a mile but his pedigree suggests he could get further.”
A winner here over this trip when unveiled in November of 2013, he finished his 3-year-old season with a second-place run at Jebel Ali that December. Fourth at handicap level returned to this track this November, he defeated Friday's Listed The Entisar scorer Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile on Nov. 22. This was his first triumph at group level.
Pedigree Notes
The winner is one of 183 black-type winners for Darley sire Medaglia d'Oro. Following Meshtri's tally in the Al Maktoum Mile, the son of El Prado (Ire) has sired 96 graded/group winners worldwide. Broodmare sire Daaher has been represented by just 94 maternal grandchildren of racing age, however 73 (78%) have run, with 44 winners among those runners (60%). His other stakes winners are the G1 AJ Moir Stakes winner Wild Ruler (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), multiple American graded winner Zaajel (Street Sense) and G3 Kembla Grange Classic heroine Pavitra (Aus) (American Pharoah), who was second in the G1 VRC Oaks and G1 Vinery Stud Stakes.
Meshtri is the second foal of the dual Listed Correction Stakes heroine Clothes Fall Off (Daaher), who was placed in two editions of the GII Barbara Fritchie Stakes. She has a yearling filly by Street Sense, a weanling colt by Not This Time, and she visited the court of McKinzie this spring. Tequilas Dayjur (Dayjur), the granddam of Meshtri, was a listed winner and placed second in the GIII Chicago Handicap. Besides Clothes Fall Off, she produced the stakes-placed pair of One Last Shot (Any Given Saturday) and Strawberry Tequila (Daaher), who was second in the GIII Arlington Matron Stakes.
Front-running and @BenCoen2 scorch to victory in the Group Two Al Maktoum Mile, sponsored by @emaardubai ⚫️@mcosta_racing's inmate adds to his C&D-winning gains last month and looks a serious machine #DubaiCarnival | #RacingDubai | #FestiveFriday pic.twitter.com/e0DRGdj0Nh
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) December 20, 2024
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