Insanity (9/2) provided British-born, Australia-based Rachel King with a fitting success for her former boss Alan King in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge.
Turning for home, it looked as though Insanity was going to win easily, but the Rest of the World runner had to dig deep to score by a head as Dream Harder battled back, with the pair clear.
Dream Harder (20/1) went down on his shield under Europe’s Jose-Luis Borrego, a multiple Classic-winning rider in Spain. Dancing In Paris (4/1F) picked up more points for Europe by filling third under Alberto Sanna.
Rachel King said: “It is a huge honour to be here. I worked for Alan for many years. To get a ride for Alan was very special and to get a winner is even better. We spoke about it beforehand, what it would mean to get a winner for Alan. It is a big occasion and I am really proud to get it done.
“They went quick and I was just trying to save my bloke. I wanted to make sure he relaxed through the first half, which he did, and I was able to get a nice breather in. He was beautiful before the race and beautiful in the run.
“I really travelled up to the other horse well and Alan gave me all the insights into our horse. Alan said he doesn’t find a huge amount off the bridle, so try to be as patient as possible, but credit to him, he was tough when he had to be.
“I hope so [it will make the news in Australia]. A few Aussie jockeys have been over before, it’s great to be able to come here and represent – I am technically on home soil but representing Australia and the Rest of the World Team. It is just good to be involved.”
Alan King said: “I love it when a plan comes together! I haven’t been a huge supporter of the Shergar Cup in the past, but I thought it was the ideal race, and to draw Rachel on Thursday was terrific. I think her last ride for me was 16 years ago in a ladies’ hurdle race at Ludlow. She was third, but what I remember is that I couldn’t carry the weight cloth out! She had 11st 5lbs or something, and there’s nothing of her. But it’s lovely. It’s great to see her – I haven’t seen her for a long time. We had a good catch up at Olly Murphy’s wedding yesterday.
“She’s given the horse a lovely ride. The one thing he doesn’t want is to hit the front too soon, and she said she kept counting and I think she said she got to 500 before she committed. He’s kept progressing, and he’s handling this ground, but he would be better with juice in the ground. He might be one for the November Handicap.
“He does jump very well, but Max [McNeill, co-owner] said that, for the time being, let’s stay on the Flat with him. Let’s hope he’s good enough and goes up far enough that he might come back here for the Royal Ascot.”
Alberto Sanna said of Dancing In Paris: “He ran good. I think a furlong further would be better for him. At the beginning, it wasn’t quick enough, so I preferred to let him find his stride, let him blow, and then he ran on nicely.”