SATURDAY’s Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1450m was arguably a notch better than Gr3 level.

The line-up included New Predator, who was beaten a wet nose by Noah From Goa in the Gr2 Dingaans, a race that everyone knows should be a Gr1 but isn’t; two smart Ready To Run Cup winners in Lineker and Champagne Haze, and Suyoof (AUS), who gave his rivals between 3,5kg and 8kg when he won the Listed Secretariat Stakes last December.

Suyoof (Delpech, blue silks), ran on gamely from a deep draw.

But disputes over Graded status never gets anybody anywhere and suffice it to report that the merits of Suyoof’s success in the 2016 running of the Tony Ruffel is likely to manifest itself in quick follow-up wins in handicaps and at higher levels by Sheikh Hamdan’s three-year-old gelding and several others who finished on his heels.

Anthony Delpech rode Suyoof to victory from a wide draw on the inside track, never easy, and he commented: “He jumped a bit slow but we came out near the running rail and into a better position. He ran on, I could see Andrew Fortune (on Champagne Haze), coming on my inside but Suyoof won well.”

Mike watched the race in Dubai and said: “Suyoof is a very progressive horse and he will do well over 1600m too,” comments echoed by assistant trainer John Buckler who saddled the gelding for the stable.

Suyoof, bred by Yarraman Park Stud Pty Ltd, NSW, is a son of Magic Albert from Magic Harmony, a mare by Danehill Dancer. Expect more magic from him!