Nerci D claimed a half length victory in the race.
Doha, Qatar: Nerci D (Muraaqib) confirmed his progress with a victory in the Gr.3 (PA) Prix Mushrae in Toulouse, a 1600m contest for 3-year-old Purebred Arabian colts.
The race brought together a field of eight, and the promising colt showed class to record his first Group (PA) success.
Trained by Thomas Fourcy, ridden by Guillaume Guedj-Gay, and carrying the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, Nerci D was making his first start for these new connections, having previously been trained and owned elsewhere.
He came into the race on the back of a confidence-boosting win in the Prix Saint-Laurent, a conditions race over the same trip last month, where he broke his maiden.
After a good start, Nerci D settled in fourth, racing upside MNHattan (Azadi) in a race led by Ghazan du Soleil (Gazwan). The pace was even throughout the back straight, with positions remaining unchanged as the runners began to quicken turning for home.
While several rivals came under pressure in the final bend, Nerci D was still travelling well. Entering the straight, he switched to the outside of the long-time leader to launch his challenge. Inside the final 300 metres, he moved into the lead, going a length clear, but inside the final 150 metres, Alibaba du Nil (Mister Ginoux) made a strong bid on his inside, with MNHattan closing on the outside.
Showing courage, Nerci D found more and held on gamely to win by half a length. MNHattan stayed on for second, while Alibaba du Nil (took a close third.
Bred by Daniel Stud, Nerci D is out of Neige Al Maury (Dormane), a dual winner over 2400m at five in the UK.
She is a half-sister to the top-class No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy), a dual Gr.1 (PA) winner over 2000m at five and six, and a five-time Gr.2 (PA) winner between 1600m and 2000m from ages five to nine.
