It’s been 14 years since G2 Maktoum Challenge R1, the official feature on the opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, produced a horse who won the Dubai World Cup in the same season.
There’s a hint of a suggestion that Algiers (pictured) could do the same, after Simon and Ed Crisford’s charge dominated the 1600metre race, winning by six and a half lengths from Discovery Island. It was a superb performance by the six-year-old, who was eighth in the Godolphin Mile last season. His vanquished opponents included defending champion Golden Goal, who faded into twelfth after leading, as well as 2021 Godolphin Mile winner Secret Ambition, fourth.
“All credit to Algiers, he was really tough out there,” said co-winning trainer Simon Crisford. “We wondered beforehand if he’d had enough match practice on this surface against these horses, but he’s handled it really well.”
Crisford wouldn’t be drawn on the $12million World Cup question, outlining the range of options for Algiers in the Gulf.
“He’s won over 10 1/2f (2100metres) at York and in France so he should get it,” he said of the Dubai World Cup distance. “He will be in the World Cup, he’s also in the big race in Saudi, and we’ll look at the next leg of the Maktoum Challenge too.”
