Irish horse Sole Power has won the Group One Al Quoz Sprint at his fifth attempt at Meydan on World Cup night.
His previous best performance was in 2012 when he finished second to Australian mare Ortensia in the 1000m dash.
Richard Hughes typically delayed his challenge on the Eddie Lynam-trained eight-year-old to collar Hong Kong’s Peniaphobia inside the dying strides.
Amber Sky set a scorching gallop which enabled Sole Power (11-2) to gun down the opposition.
“This horse deserves more recognition than he gets,” Hughes said.
“He has been competing at the level for five seasons and I knew when I moved out a furlong and a half out we were in with a massive chance.
“I still think he was a little but rusty, but I rode my own race and he stuck his neck out gamely to the line.
“That was the real Sole Power we saw and it’s my last ever ride at Meydan.”
Three-time British champion rider Hughes will retire at the end of this season.
Trainer Ed Lynam is already thinking of a return to Royal Ascot, where Sole Power claimed the King’s Stand Stakes last summer.
“He’s put his CV up for (leading) European sprinter today,” Lynam said.
“If I could, I’d love him to do it at Royal Ascot as well.”
Peniaphobia is also likely to go to England where Australian sprinters Shamal Wind and Brazen Beau will be among the opposition.
