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1 Powerful Glory 5/2
2 La Bellota
28/1
3
Billboard Star 8/1
6 ran NR: Andesite, Defence Minister, Shadow Of Light, Symbol Of Strength
Distances: nk, 2¼l, hd Time: 1m 13.89s (slow by 3.39s)
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
Richard Fahey’s Powerful Glory, who had impressed with a five-and-a-half-length debut win at Pontefract last month, was a 5-2 chance behind the 15-8 favourite Brian in a reduced field. Leading contenders Defence Minister and Shadow Of Light were withdrawn due to heavy ground.
Brian seemed poised to justify his favourite status after overtaking the pace-setting Sarab Star on the far side, but Oisin Orr was just getting started on Powerful Glory on the stands side. The Cotai Glory colt responded well to Orr’s urging, taking the lead with outsider La Bellota pushing him all the way to the line, finishing just a neck behind. Billboard Star came in third, overtaking Brian late.
Owned by Sheikh Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum, Powerful Glory’s team, represented by Philip Robinson, had reservations about running in the testing conditions after a win on quick ground at Pontefract. Robinson said, “We considered not running, but since it was his last race of the season, we decided to take the chance. His jockey mentioned he wasn’t enjoying the race from halfway, but his true class shone through. He’s now proven he can win on both firm and heavy ground, which is a big plus. I believe the best horse won, and it’s onwards and upwards from here.”
Fahey, speaking from Ayr to ITV Racing, expressed his relief and joy: “It’s fantastic to see him win. He’s a horse I really like, but I was very concerned about the ground because he moves so well. I discussed it with Sheikh Rashid, who encouraged us to go ahead, and I’m glad he did. There was no pressure, and the decision paid off – the trainer might have backed out if it were up to him alone. He’s now on his holidays. I had said if he ran, that would be it for the season. He’s a horse with great potential, and we’ll treat him as such.”
Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)
£100,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f 8y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Heavy
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (8) 1 Powerful Glory 2 9-3 Richard Fahey Oisin Orr 5/2
2 (10) nk La Bellota 2 9-3 John Ryan Darragh Keenan 28/1
3 (5) 2¼ Billboard Star 2 9-3 Eve Johnson Houghton Charles Bishop 8/1
4 (9) hd Star Anthem 2 9-3 Clive Cox Richard Kingscote 7/1
5 (1) nse Brian 2 9-3 Sylvester Kirk Liam Keniry 15/8F
6 (3) 7 Sarab Star 2 9-3 Jack Channon David Probert 4/1
NR 1 (6) Andesite 2 9-3 K R Burke NON RUNNER
NR 4 (2) Defence Minister 2 9-3 Hamad Al Jehani NON RUNNER
NR 8 (7) Shadow Of Light 2 9-3 Charlie Appleby NON RUNNER
NR 10 (4) Symbol Of Strength 2 9-3 Adrian Paul Keatley NON RUNNER
