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It provided a superb field that included G1 winner Capezzano and G3 winners Secret Ambition and Salute the Soldier, but it was the lesser-proven, high-level handicapper Thegreatcollection who upset all in the end, overpowering his more-accomplished foes en route to a 2 1/4-length tally under Pat Cosgrave.

Sitting comfortably at the back of the field as heavily favoured duo Capezzano and Salute the Soldier vied up front through healthy fractions, Zaur Sekrekov's Doug Watson-trained son of Saint Anddan split horses at the top of the stretch under confident handling and asserted himself over defending champ Secret Ambition in the final strides. The final time was a smart 1:36.75--more than a second faster than last year and despite a track that was playing more slowly than usual.

The win came in his second seasonal appearance after a strong runner-up effort in handicap company to Casey Jones, who wound up checking in fifth of seven in this event. That day, he carried 5kgs more than his foe--a disparity not happening this evening.

The victory was the 6-year-old's seventh lifetime from 25 starts and fifth since joining Watson's Red Stables four years ago. He was trained to two wins from three starts by Efren Loza Jr. in the United States before being sold abroad. The victory made up for a hard-luck effort in the same event in 2019, when a check at the top of the stretch prevented him from any chance of victory. Additionally, it was a consolation for his conditioner, as Watson's assumed best chance in the race, G2-winning Kimbear, scratched hours before.

Secret Ambition held on gamely for the runner-up position, a half-length ahead of Capezzano, who was making his first start since The Saudi Cup on Feb. 29. Romping Burj Nahaar (G3) winner Salute the Soldier was another length back in fourth. Alkaamel and Mount Pelion filled out the back markers astern Casey Jones. Quip was scratched the day prior. 

"I told them today that I think they'll go crazy up front and if we sit on him and let him finish from behind, I think he'll finish well. His first race against Casey Jones, I thought that was one of his better first runs of the season. I think he's improving and can run with them. His mind has become a lot better over the last couple years. Pat has ridden exactly as you have to, by letting him settle into his own rhythm. Then he enjoys running past tiring horses later on.

"He is one of our slowest work horses at home and you just have to let him do his own thing," Watson continued. "You never know how he's going into the race because he literally walks in his works. You couldn't find a $2,500 claimer at Belterra that works worse than him, but he's a racehorse and if we keep his mind right and keep him looking as well as he is now, I'm sure he can compete the rest of the season against those. Whether he can win, I don't know, but he sure impressed me tonight. (He's a) nice horse who's getting better with age."

RACE 1 (18:30) - Madjani Stakes (G2) (1900m Purebred Arabians

The evening's festivities kicked off with a top-notch renewal of the recently upgraded G2 Madjani Stakes over 9.5 furlongs (1900m) for Purebred Arabians. Said affair was won in cracking style by a horse who came over from the USA--but not the one everyone expected.

When Byerley Racing's favourite RB Texas Hold Em had a poor start and was left with too much to do throughout the running, the same ownership's RB Frynchh Dude capitalized like a horse with a future, stalking and pouncing before striding clear to a two-length victory. Amwaj and Aoun, separated by a head, rallied for second and third, while the favourite checked in sixth. 

Pat Cosgrave was aboard the winner for trainer Helal Al Alawi, giving the 4-year-old son of Baseq Al Khalediah his third win from 10 starts and first in three starts since being imported from America. The final time was 2:08.79. 

"He is a smart Arabian and a pleasure to ride, because you can put him anywhere in a race because he is tactically versatile," Cosgrave said. "I imagine he will go to Saudi for their big race, but he will be competitive back here in these races, depending where connections want to go."

RACE 2 (19:05) - Longines Spirit Collection Challenge (1400m 2yof maiden)

Juvenile fillies squeezing in their final race of their 2-year-old campaigns clashed in the Longines Spirit Collection Challenge maiden over seven furlongs (1400m), a race that will no doubt bleed into the 1000 Guineas Trial on Jan. 21 and its subsequent UAE 1000 Guineas (Listed). The race was a procession, but not by the expected. While heavily favoured Nayefah could only manage a distant second, it was Al Rashid Stables' Doug Watson-trained Mnasek who romped at first asking under Dane O'Neill, sweeping past her rivals after overcoming a dwelt start and defeating Nayefah by 6 3/4 lengths.

By late, great classic-winning sire Empire Maker, the winner is a daughter of Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Bayakoa (G2) winner Washington Bridge, a daughter of Yankee Gentleman--giving the winner the same sire/dam-line cross as the great American Pharoah. The winner finished up in 1:27.77 with ease, adding another top 2-year-old filly performance this season to Watson's shed row that also includes eye-opening November victress Super Chianti. Nayefah was two lengths clear of Watson-trained Heshmah in third. 

"She was a nice surprise," Watson said. "We've only had her about a month now. You never know about horses until you lead them over there and let them run. She was very impressive tonight.

"If I had my way as a trainer, I would give her the time and go straight to the (1000) Guineas with her with some prep in the gate at home," Watson continued. "We need to get her to break better. It's three weeks back to the (1000 Guineas) Trial, then three weeks back to the Guineas and I don't have a lot of time to work with her. I'd rather run Super Chianti in the Trial and let her gain the experience and try to get a little more experience with Mnasek with the gates at home. We know she runs well fresh and has a nice future ahead of her." 

O'Neill added: "She is a very straightforward, willing filly, but I must admit I thought I was in trouble after that start. In fairness to her, she has tried hard to get back into contention, quickened and stayed on nicely. It was a very good debut."

RACE 3 (19:40) - Longines Spirit Collection Mile (1600m 2yo c&g maiden)

Juvenile colts and geldings--including some sparkling pedigrees from sires like Not This Time, Speightstown, Exaggerator, Hard Spun and Dawn Approach--took to the stage contesting 1600m in the Longines Spirit Collection Mile maiden. It was the last listed who provided a workmanlike victory from Grand Dubai, a colt who has already proven consistent in three outings with a trio of diligent efforts. 

Finishing up the mile in 1:39.54 under Sandro Paiva, the Ali Rashid Al Rayhi-owned/trained charge defeated promising Fire Group in second by one length. It was another head back to Shamran in third. 

"The 1600m was always going to suit him and he learned plenty from his first two starts," Paiva said. "He does not have a lot of early speed and takes a while to get going, but once in a rhythm, he travels strongly and he will stay further."

RACE 4 (20:15) - Longines Spirit Collection Stakes (2200m handicap 70-85)

Dirt stayers were on display in the 11-furlong handicap, the Longines Spirit Collection Stakes, and what initially appeared to be a complex running on paper turned into a simple one-two finish for handicappers who did the same last out, with Doug Watson-trained Meqdam turning the tables on Welsh Lord.

Sitting mid-pack and pouncing on the leaders at the top of the stretch, the victor won by 1 1/4 lengths in the end under a confident Sam Hitchcott ride. The final time was 2:19.01 for the Musaab Mamoun Suleman El Maki-owned son of Dubawi. Sa'Ada ran on well for third. 

"I was very confident he would win today, especially after talking to Doug Watson," the owner said. "I am delighted and so proud of my horse."

RACE 6 (21:25) - Longines Spirit Collection Trophy (1900m 3yo conditions) 

Sophomores seeking one last chance at restricted company had their chance to stretch out in trip in the 9.5-furlong Longines Spirit Collection Trophy, drawing a mixed field of battle-tested types from the classics, fresh imports from Europe and an impressive last-out novice winner. The spoils went to improving Satish Seemar pupil Sanad Libya, who received a peach of a ride from Richard Mullen.

Owned by H & B and racing for just the fifth time, the son of Tapiture saved ground after a good break from post six, sat just off the leader while keeping his rail position and then took over entering the far turn. From there, he held off Godolphin's well-regarded favourite Real World en route to a hardy half-length win. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to Commanding in third. Winning for the second time, Sanad Libya finished up in 1:59.05. 

"I have a 100% record on this horse, because I won on him at Jebel Ali the only other time I rode him in a race," Mullen said. "Seriously, though, he has shown a great attitude this evening and really responded every time I asked him, so we have to be very pleased. 

Seemar added: "We have always liked the horse and were keen to try him over this kind of trip, because we thought it would suit him. We hope we can raise him in class in the future."

RACE 7 (22:00) - Longines Spirit Collection Cup (1400m handicap 75-84)

The evening ended with the Longines Spirit Collection Cup for handicappers over seven furlongs and featured an impressive victory by Fawzi Nass-owned/trained Madkhal, who continued his trainers smart season. Racing within range of the leaders throughout, the son of Distorted Humor swept to the front under light pressure from Adrie de Vries and proceeded to scamper away from his foes to a 3 1/4-length win. Shanty Star, game as always, held second by 2 3/4 lengths over high-weighted Moqarrab. The final time was 1:25.78 and improved the winner's record to two wins from 11 starts. 

"We bought him with dirt racing in mind and that was only his fourth run for us (and) second this season, so to get a win is very pleasing," Nass said. "He ran well three weeks ago at Sharjah, so we were quite hopeful tonight. We gelded him after buying him and that has helped him strengthen up. Hopefully there is more to come."