Unbeaten Manobo proves a class apart in G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy

Manobo maintained his perfect record with the minimum of fuss as he smashed Meydan’s 14-furlong course record in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on week six of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Friday, 18 February.

Last season’s G2 Prix Chaudenay Stakes winner briefly led in the early exchanges of the staying highlight before settling in a clear second as Taqareer established a clear advantage.

Manobo closed on the leader turning in and moved up under William Buick to hit the front entering the final quarter-mile.

The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Sea The Stars powered away from his 14 rivals in a matter of strides and extended his lead in the closing stages, crossing the line five and a half lengths clear of East Asia. Global Heat kept on to take third, another half-length in arrears.

Manobo’s time of 2m 53.78s shaved over two-thirds of a second off the previous best set by Almoonqith in the 2015 renewal of the Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

Charlie Appleby said: “Obviously, we are delighted with Manobo. William came back and said that he has the potential to go to the top over a mile and a half or two miles, so his options are open.

“We will probably look towards the G2 Dubai Gold Cup with him as we have Yibir aiming towards the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. If we are not completely happy with Yibir nearer the time and Manobo is still training as well as he has been, then he could potentially take his chance in the Dubai Sheema Classic.”

William Buick said: “Manobo is a beautiful horse and very imposing. He is five from five now and obviously very good, and the team had him in lovely shape tonight for what was a stepping-stone run.

“I think he can go up or even down in trip. It was a lovely performance and just what you want to see on the back of a long lay-off.

“Ideally, after a lay-off when you are a bit fresh, you would prefer a tail to follow, but he is a big horse and the one thing you do not want to do is break his stride. He did everything right and I think there is plenty more to come from him.”