Pride of Dubai 3YO Back on Track

Tara Madgwick - Friday September 29

A stakes-winner last season at two, the Grahame Begg trained Pride of Dubai gelding Maharba returned to top form at his second run back from a spell when powering home to win at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Maharba wins at the Valley - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Ridden by Mick Dee, Maharba improved sharply on his first up run to charge home between runners and win the 1200m sprint by the best part of a length over another stakes-winner in Brave Mead.

“He prepped up well coming into that first run back and has continued to improve after the race,” said Grahame Begg.

“After he was beaten first up I had to go back and recalibrate and this race was on and it seemed a better option and he’s got the money so we might be back here for the Red Anchor (G3 on Cox Plate day).”

A half-brother to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unencumbered Maharba was bred by Newhaven Park and runs for Garry and Marianne Towzell.

Advertisement

Maharba has the overall record of two wins from six starts with prizemoney topping $277,000 and is the seventh winner from eight foals to race from stakes-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Blizzardly.

Her two year-old colt by Xtravagant sold for $185,000 at Inglis Classic this year when bought by Salvador Bloodstock / Duggan Racing and she was covered by Churchill (IRE) last spring after missing to Merchant Navy.

Maharba was one of seven Australian stakes-winners last season for Pride of Dubai, who stands at Coolmore at a fee of $27,500. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Xtreme Freight Plate 1200m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.12
1
Maharba
- 3g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Blizzardly (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: M J Dee 57.5
2
0.8
Brave Mead
- 3c Brave Smash (JPN) x Mead (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 57.5
3
0.9
Armed Forces
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Royal Missile (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Shinn 56
4
4.4
Esecutore
- 3g Performer (AUS) x Cuddles For Naara (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: Jamie Kah 56
5
5.9
Sumadartson
- 3g Nostradamus (AUS) x Latino Goss (NZ) (Captain Rio (GB))
Tnr: Rachael Cunningham Rdr: D Oliver 56
6
6.3
Coincide
- 3g Invader (AUS) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
More Reading...
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Pride of Dubai 2YO Wins Talindert
Transferred to Grahame Begg after his only previous start when fourth in the $1million ATC Golden Gift, promising Pride of Dubai gelding Maharba lived up to that form when taking out the Listed VRC Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.