3.30 Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World result
1st Vivlos (14/1)
2nd Heshem (20/1)
3rd Ribchester (11/4)
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Report
'Magic Man' Joao Moreira showed just why he has been creating such a big name for himself in Hong Kong when partnering Vivlos to win the Dubai Turf.
Richard Fahey's Ribchester, running over further than a mile for the first time, made a bold bid for home under William Buick and briefly looked to have slipped the field.
Heshem started giving chase for France and just as Ribchester's stamina started to give way Vivlos began to make headway.
Moreira, who recently rode eight winners on a single card at Sha Tin, proved an irresistible force, guiding the filly to a narrow success over Heshem with Ribchester third.
Zarak was fourth, with the William Haggas-trained Mutakayyef in fifth.
Reaction
"To just be part of this is exciting, but to ride a winner is special," said Moreira.
"I have to thank my agent who got me this ride and she had good form, she showed today she is capable against any horse in the world."
Christophe Soumillon said of Zarak: "He was a little bit hemmed him as he was making his run and was unable to show the turn of foot that I know he possesses."
Angus Gold, racing manager for Mutakayyef's owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "On that ground a lot of the fizz was taken out of our horse, he got a good jump and was in a good position but he's much better on a quicker surface."
Andrea Atzeni said of Decorated Knight, who finished just out of the places for Roger Charlton: "He ran a good race, but the slow ground blunted his turn of foot."
Oisin Murphy, rider of Mick Channon's Opal Tiara, who finished last, said: "The ground was too soft for her. She travelled well in the early stages but was beaten a long way out."
