Classic credentials on show at Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend

A sensational day’s racing marked the second and concluding day of the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend at its Newbury ‘home’ on Saturday.

Familiar faces were involved in a formidable reunion for the opening event on a seven-race card, the £70.000 Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes run over 12 furlongs.

It was packed with stars. Godolphin’s St Leger and Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner of two years ago, Hurricane Lane, was meeting Mojo Star, runner-up in the Doncaster Classic and in the Ascot Gold Cup, for a fourth time.

But both have had absences from the track and when battle commenced in the final furlong neither were able to stand their ground. Outsiders featured in the finish led by Grand Alliance.

He hadn’t won for a year and in his last race of 2022, at Newbury, Grand Alliance could only finish third to Max Vega. This time it was Max Vega who filled the same minor placing,

“We hadn’t thought past today about his future,” said trainer Charlie Fellowes. “He’s not the most beautiful horse in the world and he can act like a naughty school child. He can switch on and off and be hard work.”

James Doyle was ready for Grand Alliance’s wayward manoeuvres driving his mount out to a memorable success on the rider’s 35th birthday.

The fillies and colts Classic trials at Newmarket earlier in the week had gone to a new force in British Amo Racing.

They would have had high hopes of Magic Sunset in the £70,000 Dubai Duty Free Stakes Group 3 fillies Classic Trial. But Magic Sunset didn’t feature as victory went to Remarquee on her seasonal debut for local trainer Ralph Beckett.

“I trained her mother and grandmother so we know the family,” said Beckett - a family packed with top class winners. “She’ll know a lot more after today,” added the trainer.

The £90,000 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Group 3 Greenham Stakes over the same seven furlong trip as that for the fillies, looked ready made for unbeaten favourite Chaldean.

But disaster struck at the start when jockey Frankie Dettori was dropped almost immediately the gates opened.

The race was left wide open though those with memories of the winner Isaac Shelby’s debut victory at Newbury last year in similar soft ground would have profited.

Isaac Shelby wore the famous green and blue colours of the late Robert Sangster and the colt is trained at the famous Manton Stables he modernised.

Brian Meehan trains for Manton Thoroughbreds who are under the guidance of Sam Sangster..