By Alan Carasso
'Victorious' in the 2021 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 ahead of a fifth-place effort behind Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) in the G1 Dubai World Cup, 8-year-old Salute the Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) sat a four-wide trip while punching the breeze and showed his superiour late stamina to best a game Bendoog (Gun Runner) in the $450,000 2023 edition sponsored By Emirates Airline Saturday evening at Meydan Racecourse to earn a return ticket to the $12-million feature in three weeks' time.
The veteran galloper, a disappointing fifth behind World Cup market leader Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) and Bendoog in Round 2 of the challenge Feb. 3, was a half-step slow from a wide barrier but mustered some speed and was in fifth position as First Constitution (Chi) (Constitution) showed the way into the first corner. Steered out into about the four path with about 1300 metres to traverse, Salute the Soldier always traveled sweetly for Adrie de Vries just off the flank of Bendoog. He appeared to be going well as the field neared the straight, claimed First Constitution with three-sixteenths of a mile and went for home. But Salute the Soldier, who always figured the better stayer between the two, struck to the lead 150 metres out and went on to score by a comfortable margin. First Constitution held for third ahead of Law of Peace (GB) (Shamardal), who ran on for fourth while no menace to the winner. Salute the Soldier was completing a race-to-race double for his owner and trainer, who took out the Listed Al Bastakiya S. for the 3-year-olds one race previously.
“He lost form last year for some reason, but there was some optimism this year. We know he's got the ability,” said winning trainer Fawzi Nass, who would not fully commit to a start in the World Cup.
Added de Vries, “We went fast and I was happy with my draw on the outside. I followed James [Doyle, on Bendoog] as he had, in my opinion, the horse to beat. I gave him a nice breather on the turn and it took him a while to pick up, but he seems to have a lot more stamina now and he made it look easy at the end.”
Pedigree Notes
Salute the Soldier is the product of a G1 Golden Slipper S.-winning sire raced by Godolphin, who finished well down the field behind the Fawzi Nass-trained Krypton Factor (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) in the 2012 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Dam sire Street Cry (Ire) needs little introduction, as he won this race–when contested at Group 2 level in 2002–and doubled up with a towering 4 1/4-length tally in the big race.
Street Fire is also the dam of the 3-year-old filly Fox Flame (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), the 2-year-old filly Smouldering (Ire) (Profitable {GB}) and a yearling filly by Profitable.
Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R3 (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE)-G1, $450,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2000m, 2:04.52, ft.
1–SALUTE THE SOLDIER (GER), 126, g, 8, by Sepoy (Aus)
1st Dam: Street Fire (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Firedrake, by Kris S.
3rd Dam: Danzante, by Danzig
(380,000gns HRA '19 TATOCT). O-Victorious; B-Alan Spence
(GER); T-Fawzi Nass; J-Adrie de Vries. $270,000. Lifetime
Record: SP-Eng, 28-10-5-3, $1,650,618. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Bendoog, 126, c, 4, Gun Runner–Nellie Cashman, by
Mineshaft. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Mohammed Khaleel
Ahmed; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar. $90,000.
3–First Constitution (Chi), 126, h, 5, Constitution–Antic (Chi), by
Kitten's Joy. ($430,000 HRA '22 FTKJUL). O-RRR Racing;
B-Haras Don Alberto (CHI); T-Salem bin Ghadayer. $45,000.
Margins: 2, 1HF, SHD.
Also Ran: Law Of Peace (GB), Ajuste Fiscal (Uru), Marshall Plan (GB), Sanad Libya, Atletico El Culano (Uru), Injazati (Ire), Kafoo, Military Law (GB), Sifting Sands (GB), Quality Humor, Ides Of August. Scratched: Hypothetical (Ire). VIDEO.
Salute The Soldier loves the Al Maktoum Challenge ❤️
He wins the G1 prize for the second time, providing Adrie de Vries, @AbdullaNass_ & Victorious
🏆 2021
🏆 2023#DWC23 | #RacingDubai | @emirates pic.twitter.com/pFxMWZpSbj— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 4, 2023
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
