Archipenko (pictured, image: DRC/Watkins) will be heading for the Dubai Duty Free, in which he was third last year, after his win in the Group 3 Zabeel Mile, a 1600m turf contest. The classy winner of the AP QE II Cup in Hong Kong in April, returned to the track after a lengthy layoff (9 Aug 08) and won a nice race in Dubai on his much awaited comeback.
He was completing a double for trainer Mike De Kock and jockey Kevin Shea who had earlier won the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint, over 1200m on turf, with J J The Jet Plane.
Shea was pleased with the effort of his star runner : “Archipenko’s class prevailed as he will have needed the run with the Duty Free still four weeks away.”
Archipenko was always prominent and Shea led him to the front 400m out and kept him ticking over until the wire in what looked to be a relatively easy preparation for the Dubai Duty Free. Shea is a master at timing his races from anywhere and the internationally acclaimed jockey kept the opposition at bay without any real fuss.
ZABEEL MILE SPONSORED BY MEYDAN RACECOURSE
1 Archipenko (USA) - Tracked leaders, led 400m out, ran on well, comfortably
2 Vertigineux (FR) - Tracked leaders, every chance 600m out, ran on, not quicken final 200m
3 Kalahari Gold (IRE) - Mid-division on rail, not much room 900m out, ran on well final 500m, nearest finish
4 Brave Tin Soldier (USA) - Soon led, headed 400m out, weakened
5 Seihali (IRE) - Mid-division, chased leaders 500m out, not quicken final 100m
6 My Central (ITY) - Slowly away, settled rear, never near to challenge
7 Tam Lin (GB) - Settled rear, wide in mid-division 800m out, one pace final 400m
8 Biarritz (SAF) - Mid-division, tracked leaders 500m out, weakened final 200m
9 King Of Rome (IRE) - Settled rear, never able to challenge
10 Summit Surge (IRE) - Rear of mid-division, never able to challenge
11 Ragheed (USA) - Rear of mid-division, never near to challenge
12 Golden Arrow (IRE) - Mid-division, wide, never able to challenge
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