By Tom Frary
Saturday's G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes was hit with a spate of withdrawals following the heavy rain at Newbury, but Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}–Wouldntitbelovely {Ire}, by Kodiac {GB}) stepped up to provide the rescue with a game win in the testing ground. So impressive on a contrasting good-to-firm surface at Pontefract last month, the 5-2 second favourite travelled strongly in his own rhythm as the race split into three pairs across the track.
Staying on strongly to enter contention approaching the furlong pole, the Richard Fahey-trained £190,000 Goffs UK 2yo Breeze Up purchase was tackled and briefly headed by the maiden La Bellota (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) but stuck to his guns for Oisin Orr to dominate the final 150 yards and prevail by a neck. “He could be top-class–that was only the second run of his career and I think he hated the ground today,” Orr said. “His ability got him through it. He could get faster the more he runs, he's bred to be quick enough and has plenty of options. He's a big, scopey horse.”
The downpour meant that the G2 Gimcrack Stakes second and third Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Symbol Of Strength (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Wathnan's unbeaten supplemented colt Defence Minister (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) all missed the gig, so the form should be treated with caution despite the winner's obvious promise. Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's representative Philip Robinson revealed that the Mill Reef is his juvenile finale. “We thought about not running, but as it was his last of the season we decided to take our chance. He's now won on extremes from firm to heavy and it's a big plus to know he can do that–it's onwards and upwards.”
Fahey added, “It's great to see him win, he's a horse I do like but I was very worried about the ground as he's such a good-moving horse. I had a chat with Sheikh Rashid but he said give it a go and I thought fair play, there was no pressure so he's been rewarded–the trainer might have bottled it if left to his own devices. He's on his holidays now, I did say if he ran that would be it, he's quite a scopey horse, he was prepped for a breeze so I'd love to leave him alone now. We think he's special, so we'll treat him as if he is.”
Pedigree Notes
Powerful Glory is the second foal and first runner for Wouldntitbelovely, whose family topically features Ruby Rocket (Ire) (Indian Rocket {GB}) who captured the Firth Of Clyde Stakes when it carried listed status. She is the dam of the high-class sprinter Maarek (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), whose career exploits include eight black-type wins headed by a G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, G2 British Champions Sprint Stakes and G2 Duke of York Stakes. The family also features the G2 Gimcrack Stakes, G3 Sirenia Stakes and G3 Craven Stakes-placed Mystery Smiles (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and the G3 King George Stakes-winning champion and sire Anita's Prince (Ire).
Two from two! Powerful Glory keeps improving to land the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at @NewburyRacing…@OisinOrr @RichardFahey pic.twitter.com/ISEIOdpHpN
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 21, 2024
Saturday, Newbury, Britain
DUBAI DUTY FREE MILL REEF STAKES-G2, £108,200, Newbury, 9-21, 2yo, 6fT, 1:13.89, hy.
1–POWERFUL GLORY (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Cotai Glory (GB)
1st Dam: Wouldntitbelovely (Ire), by Kodiac (GB)
2nd Dam: Geht Fasteur (Ire), by Chineur (Fr)
3rd Dam: Geht Schnell, by Fairy King
TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (37,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; £190,000 2yo '24 GOUKB). O-Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Con Marnane (IRE); T-Richard Fahey; J-Oisin Orr. £61,360. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $93,795. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–La Bellota (Ire), 129, g, 2, Mehmas (Ire)–Sagittarian Wind (GB), by Iffraaj (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (52,000gns 2yo '24 TATGBU). O-Gerry McGladery; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-John Ryan. £23,263.
3–Billboard Star (GB), 129, g, 2, Advertise (GB)–Lightsome (GB), by Makfi (GB). (62,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; 38,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-The Woodway 20; B-Theakston Stud (GB); T-Eve Johnson Houghton. £11,642.
Margins: NK, 2 1/4, HD. Odds: 2.50, 28.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Star Anthem (Ire), Brian (Ire), Sarab Star (GB). Scratched: Andesite (GB), Defence Minister (GB), Shadow Of Light (GB), Symbol Of Strength (Ire).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
