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Mythical weaves magic in G2 Zabeel Mile

Racenews

Mythical Magic gained his biggest victory to date with an impressive display in the G2 Zabeel Mile as Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William Buick completed a clean sweep of the three Group races at Meydan, UAE, on week eight of the Dubai World Cup Carnival on Thursday, 21 February. #

The four-year-old son of Iffraaj, stepping up in distance after chasing home D’bai in the seven-furlong G2 Al Fahidi Fort on Thursday, 24 January, was soon settled in fourth by William Buick as Top Score (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon) led the nine runners.

Mythical Magic moved up to take third from First Contact (Charlie Appleby/Colm O’Donoghue) as Century Dream took up the running with five furlongs left, and travelled strongly to go second turning for home.

He laid down a strong challenge to Century Dream in the straight, hitting the front with a furlong and a half to race before quickening clear for a three-length victory in 1m 36.39s on good turf, with a further three-quarters of a length back to First Contact.

Wootton (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle) flew home from the rear to take fourth, a head behind First Contact.

Charlie Appleby said, “We felt that Mythical Magic would come on physically for his run in the Al Fahidi Fort, when he stayed on nicely. More encouragingly, we felt that the step up to a mile tonight was going to suit.

“D’bai has a lot more natural pace than this horse – he has mixed it over six furlongs at G1 level and seven furlongs is his natural trip – but Mythical Magic was always going to be suited by the step up.

“Mythical Magic’s homework has been so good since his last run – William rode him during the week and the horse was his first choice in this race straight away.

“They have gone sensible fractions and he has galloped out strongly, so I will have a chat with William about running over nine furlongs, but we have got him earmarked to go to Australia for the G1 Doncaster Mile (Royal Randwick, Saturday, 6 April).

“He is a big horse and has taken some managing, but he is in great nick now. The team have done a fantastic job and we are seeing the results, so it has been worth the perseverance.

“We will regroup and see where we are, but it has been a very pleasing night. It’s like any sport – the confidence goes throughout the stable when you are on a roll. The horses feel it and are running out of their skins.”

William Buick added, “It was an excellent performance. Mythical Magic is a beautiful, imposing horse and is getting things together now.

“His last outing in the Al Fahidi Fort was an eye-catching run and, stepping up to a mile with a run under his belt, meant a few things really came together for him. Our horse did the job well.

“It’s rarely an easy decision on which horse to ride. I am fortunate that it’s a nice choice to make, but this horse has been in great form and you couldn’t really get away from his run in the Al Fahidi Fort.”