by Myra Lewyn

Tony Richard’s Kandidate led nearly every step and was never challenged as he romped by 5 3/4 lengths at Nad al Sheba racecourse on Thursday in the $200,000 Haafhd Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (UAE-G3).

The impressive victory stamped the five-year-old Kabool horse as a possible candidate for the $6-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 31.

With Ryan Moore in the leathers, Kandidate was allowed a comfortable lead and surged clear at the top of the straight, pursued—albeit hopelessly—by Mullins Bay and Singing Poet.

Kandidate completed 1,800-meters (8.94-furlongs) in 1:49.40. Mullins Bay finished a quarter of a length in front of third-place finisher Singing Poet.

Imperialista, winner of the Maktoum Challenge Round 1 three weeks ago, finished ninth.

Trainer Clive Brittain was nearly beside himself with glee after Kandidate’s triumph.

“It’s Clive, Clive and I’m in overdrive,” he quipped.

Kandidate was making his seasonal bow after winning five of 14 starts last season, which also began at last year’s Dubai International Racing Carnival, but with a win on the turf.

Winless in four subsequent starts there, he was returned to England and registered four more wins, including the Totesport.com September Stakes (Eng-G3) at Kempton Park and two other stakes in his best season to date.

“We knew that we could stretch them from the front as he has the stamina, and we’re now going for the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (UAE-G2) [on March 1],” Brittain said. “Then we’ll be ready for the big boys, or I should say the big boys will have to be ready for us in the Dubai World Cup.”

Kandidate, who is out of the Royal Academy mare Valleyrose, has won eight of 34 starts with a third-place finish in the 2005 Ultimatepoker.com Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1).

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor