O'Brien keeps faith in Reward

Aidan O’Brien has not lost faith in Grand Reward despite the youngster’s expensive defeat in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Byron held off the Irish raider’s late challenge by three-quarters of a length to confirm the form of the pair’s last outing where the David Loder-trained colt had finished a neck in front of his rival only for the stewards to reverse the placings after interference between them.

“York was a mess for him and we wanted to use this race as a stepping stone for the Middle Park,” said O’Brien.

“Mick made sure that he had a good experience today, which was important, and I think he ran a lovely race.”

Byron may also go for the Newmarket Group One.

“He could go for the Middle Park Stakes although we might have something else for that race so I will really need to go home and talk to Sheikh Mohammed about it,” said Loder.

Byron’s rider Jamie Spencer sent the winner into the lead over a furlong out and despite the colt wandering across the course when alone in front, he had enough in hand to take the Group Two contest.

Grand Reward took some time to get going when asked to quicken up by Mick Kinane but was doing his best work at the finish and stayed on late to pip Tahreeb for second by a neck.

“I think that he probably will get further although I am not sure and I would like to think that a mile will be no problem next year,” added Loder.

Spencer completed a double on Beluga Bay (100-30) in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, but there was a sting in the tail as he was banned for one day (September 28) for careless riding.

Back on a better racing surface, Trade Fair bounced back to form with a clear-cut success in the seven-furlong Dubai Duty Free Cup.

Punters struck this time as the winner, disappointing on soft ground in the Sussex Stakes on his latest start, was backed down to 1-4 in the betting ring before the start of the Listed contest.

And the result never looked in doubt with jockey Richard Hughes always sat in the cruise position aboard Roger Charlton’s charge.

Trade Fair accelerated into the lead over a furlong out and quickened well clear of his rivals to beat Lago d’Orta by three lengths.

“It’s hard to know what to say about his trip now,” Charlton said as he watched the colt return to the winner’s enclosure for a welcome drink on the hot day.

“From his appearance you would have to say that he is a sprinter although on breeding he really wants further.

“If he stays in training next year, which I hope that he will, then we can experiment with them then but I would prefer to keep him to seven furlongs for now and something like the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket would be the obvious race.

“The pleasing thing is the way he has relaxed out there and done the job well and he does seem to be growing up.”

Marcus Tregoning enjoyed a popular double, which was kicked off by well-backed favourite Oriental Warrior, who made a successful debut in the opening EBF Dubai Tennis Championships Maiden Stakes.

Sent off the 5-4 favourite, Richard Hills’ mount travelled strongly throughout the six-furlong contest before showing an impressive turn of foot to lead a furlong out and hold the challenge of King’s Caprice by a length.

Asked if the colt, a son of Alhaarth, was in his ’Premier League’, Tregoning smiled and said: “He has always given his best every time we have asked him a question and I really like him.

“He travels beautifully and I think he could be a very nice horse for next year. I will probably give him one more run this season and step him up to seven furlongs.”

And Tregoning struck again when taking the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes for the third time in five years with all-the-way winner Elshadi.

The blinkered son of Cape Cross will now bid to go the same way as illustrious previous winners of this mile contest such as Nayef, Unfuwain and Rainbow Quest.

“He is a well-bred horse and the blinkers are just on to help him,” said Tregoning.

“It might just be that he is a bit weak at the moment as he has a big frame to fill so they just help him focus – he can be very lazy.

“He had them on the stretch all the way and it is great to win the race again.”