Alexandros the great

Alexandros showed a fantastic turn of foot to land the Dubal International-sponsored Al Rashidiya, the first ever turf race at Meydan, for Godolphin.

The five-year-old was beaten just a nose in last season's Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and was sent off the 7-4 favourite in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

Dettori had a double handful halfway up the straight and once asked to go about his business, Alexandros engaged overdrive and passed the post with plenty in hand.

Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "We were disappointed with him in Hong Kong, but he has worked very well since then.

"He handled the surface really good and I was very happy with the way he finished.

"That (the Dubai Duty Free, in which he finished third last year) is the plan, but we'll see how he comes out of the race."

Dettori added: "He's getting a bit older and nine (furlongs) fits him like a glove.

"I really fancied him as he's always run well in Dubai."

Brian Meehan's Crowded House put in an eye catching performance to fill the runner-up spot.

The Rainbow Quest colt had been off the track since finishing sixth in last year's Derby but after being held up early on, he rapidly made up ground in the straight to finish a fine second.
Honest

Godolphin had earlier struck with Global City, who got up beneath the shadow of the post to beat Montpellier in the Dubal International Innovation Trophy in the hands of Ted Durcan.

"He hit a flat spot early on but he loves this surface and is an honest little horse," said Durcan.

"It wouldn't do him any harm to step up to seven furlongs."

Mike de Kock was also in double form, highlighted by Musir, who looks sure to go on to better things after recording his success in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial.

The 13-8 favourite was ridden with the utmost confidence by Christophe Soumillon and kicked clear turning for home.

Just as it looked as though he had the race sewn up, Dettori and Frozen Power came out of the pack to give Musir a fright.

But Soumillon kept his mount going and the pair passed the post narrowly ahead.

Soumillion said: "After two steps he tried to take the exit on the left side so I put him back in the race and then he tried to run out again.

"But when I came into the straight I was running better than everyone.

"When Frankie came at me in the last 100 yards I just pushed him again and it was a good win for him today."

De Kock went on to complete his brace in the Dubal International Potline Trophy as Mr Brock (6-1), ridden by stable jockey Kevin Shea, stretched away inside the final furlong to beat Mark Johnston's Tartan Gigha.

Mutheeb confirmed the promise of his fifth place finish over this distance a week ago when running away with the Dubal International Billet Trophy under Richard Hills.

The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned 6-1 chance cruised into the straight and showed an eyecatching change of gear to score decisively from Jeremy Noseda's Stoic and the Meehan-trained Gallagher.

Quickened

Hills said: "There was a nice pace so I was able to get in a good position and he quickened very well.

"The track is riding pretty much the same as last week and is quite slow.

"But that was inevitable with this weather and it's only going to improve."

Antonio Cintra Pereira's Al Arab struck gold for Brazil in the Dubal International Casthouse Trophy, with Meehan's Swift Gift second and Godolphin inmate Sovereign Remedy third.

Godolphin preserved their unbeaten record on the Meydan turf when Dettori and Age Of Reason landed the Dubal International Trophy.

Although seemingly in trouble along the straight, the five-year-old son of Halling swept around the outside of his fellow protagonists to edge out the Kieren Fallon-ridden Titurel.

De Kock also revelled in a splendid night when King Of Rome brought home the South African trainer's treble in the concluding Dubal International DX Technology Trophy on the Tapeta.