by Myra Lewyn

Formal Decree continued his ascent on Thursday in Dubai as he outran 2005 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) runner-up Ace (Ire) to capture the $200,000 Dubal Al Rashidiya (UAE-G3) at Nad al Sheba.

The four-year-old Diktat (GB) gelding missed the start and was last turning into the straight, but under the skillful handling of jockey Mick Kinane, Formal Decree closed with a rush to deprive Ace of his first victory since 2004, winning by a short head while covering 1,777 meters (8.83 furlongs) on turf rated good in 1:50.34.

South African-bred Oracle West, an accomplished performer on the Nad al Sheba turf course, finished another short head back in third in the 11-horse field.

German-bred Formal Decree earned his first stakes win with the victory and won his third consecutive start dating back to a comfortable tally in a lucrative non-black type handicap at Newmarket last fall when trained by Alan Swinbank, after which he was purchased by Sheikh Hamdam bin Rashid al Maktoum.

Formal Decree won four of seven starts last season and won with plenty in hand in his season opener at Nad al Sheba on January 18 for new trainer Ismail Mohammed.

“I missed the break as he got a bit upset in the [starting gate] and we were last in the straight,” Kinane said of Formal Decree, who is out of the Highest Honor (Fr) mare Formida. “But he’s got a great turn of foot and he’s now proven that he’s more than just a handicapper.”

Bred by Gestut Olympia, Formal Decree improved his overall record to six wins in 15 career starts.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor