Dettori shines in Dubai

Frankie Dettori was on the mark when producing Stetchworth Prince with a perfectly-timed challenge at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai on Friday.

The Italian produced the four-year-old, who was winning at the third time of asking at the Carnival, at just the right time to claim the second extended-seven-furlong grass handicap.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “We hoped he would run well as he has been in good form. Frankie has given him a good ride.”

Mike De Kock’s Irridescence was the impressive winner of the Listed Balanchine Stakes.

Never far off the pace under Weichong Marwing, she was eased to the front over two furlongs out and was always running on too strongly for France’s Satwa Queen.

It was a great effort by the four-year-old daughter of Caesour, given that she has been off the track since July and carried a Group One penalty.

De Kock was delighted, and said: “We were hopeful beforehand and knew she was as fit as we could get her without a run. She broke well and Marwing has given her a great ride.

“I was pleased with the rain as I knew she would handle the ground. She is a very nice filly and the Dubai Duty Free has always been the target. She will improve for that and is an exciting prospect.”

John Hills’ Clinet was withdrawn due to the rain-softened ground.

John Egan was in the saddle as Mick Channon’s Obe Gold registered his second Carnival win in good style in the six-furlong grass handicap.

After winning a month ago, the four-year-old was unlucky over the course and distance eight days previously, but made amends in great style.

Egan was impressed, and said: “He has done that ever so well. The team have done really well to keep him fresh and you would not think he had run only a week ago.

“He was bucking and squealing on the way to the start and I knew then he would take a lot of beating.”

Erwan Charpy’s Winisk River, having his first start in virtually two years, ran out the convincing winner of the first extended-seven-furlong grass handicap.

A six-year-old son of Barathea, he was settled in rear before making smooth progress in the straight. He hit the front a furlong out and was never going to be caught.

Tropical Star returned to winning ways in the seven-furlong dirt handicap under a confident Royston Ffrench.

Settled just off a furious pace, the six-year-old took up the running over two furlongs out and was never going to be caught.

“He has done it very well as he was entitled to – he was the class horse in the race and I was always happy during proceedings,” said Ffrench.

“I will have to talk to the trainer and owner about which race he will be aimed at on World Cup night but the Sprint or Mile would both be valid options.”

Gary Hind made all on Rashed Bouresly’s Shanty Star to win the 10-furlong grass handicap.

Hind said: “He is a game old horse and just kept on galloping. The ground was softer tonight which has helped and he has showed a lot of heart.”

South African Herman Brown has enjoyed a good first visit to the Carnival and he enjoyed further success when Jersey Bounce landed the 12-furlong grass handicap under Ryan Moore.

The concluding race, the second 10-furlong grass handicap, was won by Alec Laird’s Anani under Richard Mullen.