Mike de Kock got his 2012 Dubai Carnival off to the perfect start as classy mare Mahbooba showed the boys the way home in the Al Rashidiya Trial.
The South African handler has enjoyed plenty of success in Dubai, and showed his intent for this year’s fiesta of racing with victory in the feature event on the opening night.
Mahbooba won the UAE 1000 Guineas last year, before going on to be placed in the Oaks and in the Derby on World Cup night.
The five-year-old later went on to record success on British soil at Newmarket and was sent off the 11-8 favourite in the hands of Christophe Soumillon on her first start of the year.
Laajooj and Derbaas led Mahbooba into the straight but the mare picked them up with ease and pulled right away for an impressive success.
The other dominant force in Dubai is, of course, Godolphin, and they enjoyed a fine opening night with three winners.
Sarrsar (9-2) swept home in the hands of Mickael Barzalona to deny fellow Godolphin inmate Capponi in the Longines Conquest Collection Handicap.
Frankie Dettori went straight to the front from the outset on the latter, but he was unable to repel the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Sarrsar in the straight.
Bin Suroor was soon on the mark again, with Dettori this time doing the steering on Honour System in the Longines Prima Luna.
Last seen finishing down the field at Newmarket in October, the 7-4 favourite led his rivals a merry dance from the front and had enough in hand as the line approached to hold on.
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