MOHAMMED Khaleel leads in Star Empire, after Christophe Soumillon had brought the six-year-old gelding with a storming late run to get up in a 2810m handicap at Meydan on Thursday.

Star Empire started his international career in Dubai in 2011 and was rested for two years before re-appearing at the 2013 Carnival. He has won twice and placed three times from only six starts in the UAE.

Khaleel is the right-hand man of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

Photo by Andrew Watkins.