With a determined stretch run, Surfer secured his first Group victory in Round 1 of the $250,000 Al Maktoum Challenge (G2) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Surfer, victorious in the Listed Dubai Mile Creek S., over the same course three weeks ago, is now two-for-two on Meydan’s new dirt surface following Thursday’s victory in the 1,600 meter (about one-mile) contest.
Distorted Humor has started 2015 on a tear, with two stakes winners and the promising 3-year-old colt Mawthooq placing in his first stakes start, all in the first week of January.
Breaking from the rail in the 15-horse field, Surfer was never more than a couple lengths from the lead from the outset. The field was well-bunched in the early stages, with Surfer in third as they passed the half-way point.
Surfer carried Richard Smullen to the front around the turn, then responded gamely to Smullen’s urging when Frankyfourfingers (FR) surged past straightening for home. With his ears up, Surfer pulled away in the final furlong to win by about three lengths.
“This horse just loves the dirt,” said Mullen. “He always worked well on it at home and has shown a real liking for it here at Meydan. He ran some great races here on the old all-weather surface but this is really his game.
“We will have to sit down and plan whether to step up in trip or stick to 1600m with the Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday and the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night possible targets.”
Surfer was bred in Kentucky by Darley and is owned by the Zabeel Racing International Corp. Racing exclusively in Dubai, Surfer has finished first or second in half of his 20 starts, earning $416,329. Out of the Ocean Crest mare Surf Club, he is a half-brother Grade 1 winner Emcee.
