Tally-Ho bred West Acre turned in a sensational performance to win the Group 2 Blue Point Sprint at Meydan on Friday.
Taking on his elders, the Mehmas 3yo quickened from the back of the field under Callum Shepherd to win going away by three-and-a-half lengths over Ponntos. In the process, West Acre broke the track record, running the 5f in 55.38 to lower Frost At Dawn's previous mark of 55.41. His 400 metre mark off 21.05 is also the fastest recorded so far at this year's Dubai Carnival.
Trained by George Scott on behalf of Michael Blencowe, West Acre was winning for the third time in five starts.
"He broke well, we followed the right horses and he came home unbelievably well," said Callum Shepherd. "He galloped right through the line. He has that potent turn of foot and he's just as effective at this trip [as over 6f]."
George Scott added: "There's every indication that he is a very classy sprinter in the making. He's still lightly-raced, and now he's going through the ranks.
"It's the most extraordinary story. He fractured day before due to run at two. I thought he was the I'd ever trained before he ran. His numbers were extraordinary - he's broken the clock in a racecourse gallop before he was due to run. When he fractured, it broke my heart - I thought it was the end.
"To come back the way he has is extraordinary and makes it all the more special. Callum told me he couldn't pull him up today but for me he's an out and our speedball, a pure 5f horse."
The 39th stakes winner for Mehmas, West Acre is out of Lady Aria, a daughter of Kodiac who was Group 3-placed when second in the Dick Poole Stakes at Salisbury. He was bought by Alex Elliott and Billy Jackson-Stops for £95,000 out of our draft at the 2023 Goffs UK Premier Sale in Doncaster.
Not only is West Acre another talented performer for Mehmas but he also continues Kodiac's productive run as a broodmare sire. The Mehmas - Kodiac cross is also repsonsible for top sprinter Believing and last season's high-class 2yo Diego Ventura.
Lady Aria's 2023 filly by Starman was one of the highlights of last year's Goffs Premier Sale when sold for £185,000 to Creighton Schwartz.
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