St Nicholas delivers for father and son at Meydan

Aidan O'Brien's St Nicholas Abbey broke the track record in going one place better than 12 months ago in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Given an inspired ride by Joseph O'Brien and soon on the heels of leader Shareta, the young pilot kicked on entering the straight on the six-year-old, with much-vaunted Japanese mare Gentildonna in pursuit.

It only briefly looked like turning into a real duel but Gentildonna, who was keen in the early stages from her wide draw, was never really going to get there and St Nicholas Abbey won with something in hand, with two and a quarter lengths the official margin.

Both trainer and jockey were quick to acknowledge the decision to give St Nicholas Abbey a positive ride.

O'Brien senior said: "He's obviously a very high-class horse and I think I was wrong in holding him up in some of his races.

"Derrick (Smith) and the lads wanted to be handier and that is how we played it tonight and you saw how well it worked. Gentildonna is obviously a very high-class filly and I thought she was going to put us under pressure, but our lad found extra.

"He's a very good horse and Joseph was very happy with the ground and with the way he had been working in the build up to the race. He's great, he is in great shape and remember he was a top two-year-old who won the Racing Post Trophy but then lost his form at three.

"To come back like he has to be a top middle-distance horse is a credit to him."

On future plans, O'Brien added: "I suppose he could go back to Epsom for the Coronation Cup, but we will have to see."

A first Dubai World Cup night winner for O'Brien junior, St Nicholas Abbey has also given him a Breeders' Cup Turf success and is close to his heart. The rider said: "He jumped well from the gate and I had a nice position from which to press on early in he straight.

"He's tough and he really loved the ground. I thought the track rode really well for him. There didn't seem much pace on paper and Mr (Derrick) Smith in particular just said that after last year to ride him a bit more forward and see what happens.

"He's tough, he tries and he relaxes, he's a joy to ride and you couldn't have a more willing partner. It's a dream come true to win here. It's the biggest stage in the world with the best horses, the best jockeys and the best trainers.

"Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe it."

On a great night for the O'Brien team, Lines Of Battle won the UAE Derby to book himself a crack at the Kentucky Derby and give Ballydoyle back-to-back successes in the race after Daddy Long Legs last year.

The Ryan Moore-ridden Lines Of Battle kicked a couple of lengths clear but David Marnane's Elleval emerged from the pack as his most serious challenger.

He could never get on terms, though, and Lines Of Battle was a decisive winner.

O'Brien said: "We wanted the race to be a true test but it wasn't because of the slow pace, which made it a good win in the circumstances."

Victory in the Group Two event earned Lines Of Battle significant points under the qualification criteria for the Kentucky Derby, and O'Brien confirmed: "We are very pleased with him and we'll go to the Kentucky Derby with him."

Mike de Kock bagged a big-race double as Soft Falling Rain and Paul Hanagan claimed glory in the Godolphin Mile and Shea Shea dazzled in the Al Quoz Sprint. Both are likely to be seen at Royal Ascot, with Soft Falling Rain set for the Queen Anne Stakes and Shea Shea heading for the King's Stand — and possibly a clash with Australian wonder horse Black Caviar.

Shea Shea's rider Christophe Soumillon said: "You never know, I hope that if we did we could beat Black Caviar and we will certainly try."

Sounding a note of caution, De Kock added: "I don't know about making statements like that, I think Christophe was speaking with his tongue in cheek. We will send him over for the King's Stand at Ascot. Tonight is great for South African breeding with two winners, it's a great way to showcase our talents."