Dubawi delight as Proportions flops

Divine Proportions lost her unbeaten record as Dubawi powered to success in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

The Pascal Bary-trained filly found disappointingly little in the Group One contest as Godolphin’s Irish 2000 Guineas winner ran on strongly to beat Whipper.

Andre Fabre’s Valixir was third.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: “We walked the course this morning and it was clear the ground was fastest down the middle. We knew that was where we wanted to make our challenge.

“There was a risk he might duck left or right to either rail once he was in front, but Sheikh Mohammed was adamant that was what we should do and the plan has worked to perfection.

“Today was very important for us, but more so for the horse than for Godolphin. He has a limited shop window in which to show what he can do and today was a vindication for the horse’s abilities.”

Pacemakers Council Member and Semarang set a strong gallop through the early stages, with Dubawi and Divine Proportions matching strides in third and fourth.

Kerrin McEvoy brought the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Dubawi to the lead with two furlongs left to run in the mile showpiece, with the son of Dubai Millennium displaying a fine turn of foot.

Divine Proportions, sent of the 5-6 favourite, was just behind Dubawi (10-3) when he kicked for home, but the dual Classic-winning filly could not match his acceleration and never picked up.

Whipper (10-1) came from way back to give chase but could not quite get to the winner, who emulated his ill-fated sire, successful in this race in 1999.

McEvoy said: “He showed them today – he’s a great little horse.

“This is my first winner and first Group One in France. I’m lucky to be here to ride him.

“He travelled so well – he’s so professional and the pacemaker did a great job.

“At the two-furlong marker I let him go and he really quickened. He enjoyed the ground today as well.”

A downcast Bary said: “I am very disappointed. She had a good position and she was travelling well, but when the jockey asked her to quicken, she didn’t have her usual kick.”

Bookmakers Paddy Power were quick to react to Dubawi’s win, making him their 3-1 favourite (from 10s) for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Belmont Park on October 29.

Divine Proportions is out to 6-1 from 5-2, with Soviet Song quoted at 7-1 ahead of Proclamation and Rakti at 8s.