Main Sequence ready to take the next step in Dubai

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – His triumphant 2015 debut behind him, Main Sequence will now be pointed for his first major goal of the season, the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 28 at Meydan.

Main Sequence couldn’t have been more impressive while making his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf nearly four months earlier in Saturday’s Grade 2 Mac Diarmida.

Seemingly in jeopardy of losing for the first time in five U.S. starts as the field turned into the stretch, Main Sequence unleashed a breathtaking final rally to readily overtake arch rival Twilight Eclipse and win going away by three-quarters of a length. He earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort, which came with regular rider Rajiv Maragh back aboard.

Trainer Graham Motion said that Main Sequence came out of the race well.

“He was definitely a little quiet after the race, but he was pretty sharp this morning,” Motion said on Sunday. “He didn’t appear to have a hard race.”

Motion said he’s heard a lot of comments about the Mac Diarmida perhaps being Main Sequence’s most impressive performance to date.

“I think this race caught people’s attention more than any race, which is funny because this horse won the Breeders’ Cup,” said Motion. “This race certainly has had people talking about it, and he’s definitely a horse that just seems to keep improving.”

Motion said he’s looking forward to returning to Meydan, having won the Dubai World Cup with Animal Kingdom two years ago.

“Look, it’s going to be a huge step up going over there,” said Motion. “But I feel good about taking the shot. He’s done everything here, and that’s what it’s really all about, isn’t it? And having done it before, having a little experience making the trip, is a big help.”

A previously version of this article misstated Main Sequence's planned next start. It is the Dubai Sheema Classic, not the Golden Shaheen.