BELLE ROSE (Callan Murray) returned from a rest at Turffontein on Saturday to win a MR84 Handicap over 1600m by just over a length, racing in a competitive field.

Belle Rose wins for Callan Murray.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Al Adiyaat, Bella Rose is daughter of Golden Sword from Summerhill Stud who is getting better with maturity and can be followed.

With Belle Rose winning, Mike de Kock entered his Last 10 countdown to a milestone 3000 career winners, and after Alareef’s win at Meydan later on Saturday afternoon, Mike is just eight winners short of the big figure, on 2992 winners.

Alareef, who failed in stronger company over 1400m and 1600m recently, bounced back to best over 1200m with a narrow win under Sheikh Hamdan’s retained jockey Jim Crowley, the UK champion.

SA-bred Alareef, a six-year-old by Stronghold, has won three races in Dubai since 2015, seven in total with his South African wins included.

Alareef (Jim Crowley), returning to the winner’s box. (Andrew Watkins)