All Class From Two Champs
You would be hard pushed to find a better ride all season. When you have Ryan Moore booked you sit back and let him go to work. Arguably the world’s best jockey, Ryan produced a ride oozing with class but his partner showed just as much quality. Maharba The Champ had already won at the Dante festival and he doubled up at the Ebor taking the 1m4f Sky Bet Handicap.
The lightly raced 4yo hails from a classy family and although it has been a slow burn, he is beginning to hit the heights he threatened to earlier in his career. Maharba The Champ has a bit of a patchy look to his form book but when he is on song, he is a classy individual. Returning to action at the Dante meeting, he put in a fine performance to win over 1m2f. Unfortunately things just never went right for him in the following 2 runs. The track at Epsom and then very soft ground at Goodwood scuppered his chances of progressing this season so waiting for quick ground was important.
With previous form and right conditions, the Ebor meeting provided a nice opportunity to bounce back to form. The trip was a new test, having previously won over 1m2f, but pedigree and running style gave confidence that it should be no issue. Ryan Moore approached the race with a clear slate, to ride as he found him and adopted patient tactics. Maharba The Champ was slightly slow away and Ryan immediately settled him towards the rear, tracking over to the rail. With a fair pace being set, Ryan would watch on with the entire field to pass.
Despite this being his first try over the distance, Maharba The Champ would actually find himself shuffled back at times. The leader raced keen throughout which had the field quickly charging down the back straight and into the long, sweeping left handed home bend. There was a good 12 lengths between first and last, Maharba The Champ.
Ryan just oozed confidence and when the leader kicked 1/2 mile from home, there was no panic. The field were racing a long way out and yet Ryan just took his time, seemingly losing ground but happy to wait. With leader stretching, it had really put the rest under the pump. Maharba The Champ still travelled well and he was just moving up quietly but with a wall of horses still in front of him.
As they entered the final 2f, Ryan had angled his mount all the way across to the far side. Now with a clear run he began to work away on his mount and he had plenty of horse beneath him. Quickening up, Maharba The Champ burst through between rivals to give chase. Suddenly the entire complexion changed and as Maharba The Champ came through, the leader start to look vulnerable. Both horse and jockey smelt victory and it was now that Ryan went for everything. Posing the question he got the answer passing the furlong pole. Maharba The Champ swept past his rivals, taking the lead 150 yards from and gone in the blink of an eye. He kicked clear to win by an easy 1 3/4 lengths.
This was a hugely impressive display from Maharba The Champ and one of the best rides seen this season. He thrives on quick ground and showed a startling turn of foot. Maharba The Champ is still progressing and being so lightly raced, there could be plenty more improvement to come. The manner he finished off the race suggest that even 1m6f could be possible for the colt. Ground is key but it would not be a surprise to see Maharba The Champ turn into a possible Ebor contender in 12 months time.