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Valedictum Wins In Dubai

19th Feb 2009

Breeding & Racing - Friday, 20 February 2009

In Dubai overnight, Australian-bred & trained 8YO gelding Valedictum (Umatilla-Wunderschoen, by Twig Moss) won the US$120,000 Mustaqbali Handicap (1500m on turf) in a field of 10 international runners at Nad Al Sheba.

Valedictum (ridden by UK jockey Ted Durcan for Melbourne trainer Danny O'Brien) defeated front-running German-bred 6YO gelding Echoes Rock (Tiger Hill-Evening Breeze, by Surumu) & Irish-bred 4YO entire Stubbs Art (Hawk Wing-Rich Dancer, by Halling) who finished 3rd in both 2008's Gr1 English 2000 Guineas & Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas.

A fortnight ago, for Gr1-winner Valedictum finished 6th (carrying equal top-weight of 59.5kg in a field of 14) in his UAE debut in the US$120,000 Intikhab Trophy (1500m on turf) at Nad Al Sheba, after finishing 4th in January's Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1410m) at Flemington in Melbourne in his final start before leaving Australia.

Valedictum (a $22,500 yearling at the 2002 Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne) now has 12 wins (also including 2008's Listed Royal Parma Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill, plus 2005's Gr1 Emirates Stakes over 1600m at Flemington) & 8 placings (including 2008's Gr3 Victoria Handicap over 1400m at Caulfield & Listed Aurie's Star Handicap over 1200m at Flemington, plus 2007's Gr2 Gilgai Stakes over 1200m at Flemington, as well as 2006's Gr1 Emirates Stakes over 1600m at Flemington & both 2005's Gr3 Yallambee Stud Stakes over 1400m at Flemington & Listed Aurie's Star Handicap over 1200m at Flemington) from 56 starts for over $1.2m earnings.