Order of Australia, Russian Emperor Score in Qatar
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Order of Australia wins the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse
Order of Australia , winner of the 2020 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), proved winning ways are not behind him Feb. 18 with a victory in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (G2) at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Qatar.
Ryan Moore was keen to make the running on the 6-year-old son of Australia , and after bagging the rail in the back straight the Aidan O'Brien trainee had enough in reserve to hold off local runner Band Width in the US$500,000 contest.
Moore said: "He's a class horse on his day as a Breeders' Cup Mile winner and it's nice for him to get back on track. He's probably going to improve for the run and he was waiting a little bit in front."
Order of Australia is now set for a return to the Middle East for the Dubai Turf (G1T) at Meydan next month.
Order of Australia and connections in the winner's circle
Murphy Rolls On
Oisin Murphy continued his impressive return to action when following up Thursday's comeback winner at Chelmsford with success on the Hugo Palmer-trained Flaming Rib in the Dukhan Sprint (G3).
Despite being trapped wide from his stall 12 draw, Flaming Rib closed down the leaders a furlong and a half out and went on to hold local runner Taxiwala, who had won the six-furlong contest for the last two years, to give Palmer his first winner outside Europe.
Murphy, who was out of luck on his three rides at the HH Amir Sword Festival on Friday, said: "I rang Hugo at Christmas to ask if he was considering this race for the horse and he said he was. It's great to be here at such a fantastic meeting and big thanks to Hugo and Michael Owen as it was a big call to put me on the horse."
Emperor Rules
Former Hong Kong riding legend Doug Whyte struck with his first runner overseas as a trainer when Russian Emperor came from last to first to win the HH Emir Trophy, one of two US$2.5 million contests on the card.
Previously trained by Aidan O'Brien, Russian Emperor left Ballydoyle contenders Broome and Stone Age well in arrears under Alberto Sanna. The dual group 1 winner in Hong Kong led entering the final furlong and held off the late thrust of the Charlie Appleby-trained Warren Point .
Alzahir Overcomes Wide Draw
Alzahir, the first runner in Qatar for John and Thady Gosden, made it three European wins out of the first four races on the card when he overcame a wide trip to land the Al Rayyan Mile (G2) under Andrea Atzeni.