MUSIR could not have been more impressive when winning the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Group 2 Al Rashidiya, the 1800m turf feature at Meydan on Thursday evening, in front of a large crowd which included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Jockey Christophe Soumillon oozed confidence throughout on the Mike de Kock-trained five-year-old son of Redoute’s Choice who was following up an equally impressive win in the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round I (1600m all-weather) on his previous start.

Having his first turf start in Dubai, de Kock’s charge was carrying a penalty having won a valuable turf prize in Turkey last year and looks a horse for the others to fear throughout the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Never far off the pace under Soumillon, he eased to the front early in the straight and never looked in danger afterwards. De Kock is currently in South Africa and Soumillon said: “This is my favourite horse as he gave me my first big wins in Dubai. There was no pace in the race at all and that has suited him as he has such good acceleration. We think he is better on grass than [the all-weather] and hopefully a genuine Dubai Duty Free contender.”  – emiratesracing.com.