MAHBOOBA was beaten 1.25-lengths into second by Godolphin’s Khawla (IRE), in Thursday night’s UAE Oaks at Meydan, but Mike believes that the winner is a filly from the top drawer.

He said: “Khawla and Mahbooba drew almost eight lengths clear of the rest of the field, which shows that they are superior fillies. Mahbooba ran a big race, she was travelling very well but Frankie Dettori got the first run, he pinched it and our filly had too much to do late in the race.

Khawla (Dettori), stole a march on Mahbooba (Christophe Soumillon). – Andrew Watkins.

“Our plans are on track for the UAE Derby, Mahbooba and Zanzamar will stand their ground. I do not know whether Khawla will go for the Derby, that will be purely speculation on my behalf.”|

Wonder Lawn (Wilgerbosdrift Stud), the game seven-year-old by Fort Wood from Velvet Green, put another feather in the cap of SA-breds at the Carnival, winning a handicap over 2000m under a good ride from Kevin Shea.

Said Mike: “All our older horses have given their best this season, I’m very happy Wonder Lawn has won, he like the firm turf track and he’s been knocking hard all year, he deserved it. Well done to his owners Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Chubby Chandler, Lee Westwood, Selwyn Nathan, Jehan Malherbe and Dr John McVeigh.”

Headline photo: Wonder Lawn (Kevin Shea), with Mohammed Khaleel, representing Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum. (Andrew Watkins).