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| Rowan Anderson |
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A six race card played out at Meydan as the sixth Dubai World Cup meeting produced many storylines including a boilover upset in the Group Two Blue Point Sprint.
In a quality field of twelve the Charlie Appleby-trained Lazuli had returned to defend his title after the gelded son of Dubawi was victorious last year by 1.5 lengths over Acklam Express.
However he had to settle for fourth spot here with the Rashed Bouresly trained Miqyaas took the spoils in a head bobbing finish.
Paying USD $52 odds pre-race the 8YO gelded son of Oasis Dream had no appeal in the markets but once the gates opened the race was on and with Oscar Chavez onboard the whole field was put on notice.
Flying from the stalls to hit the lead they looked to be swallowed up by many a wall of opponents at the halfway mark. However, Miqyaas kept battling on with Logo Hunter, who was eventually third. Ladies Church then appeared from the pack to add to the challenge with the three horses flashing past the post together.
The verdict was that it was as tight as it could possibly be between the three with hoop Chavez riding for the Bouresly Racing Syndicate and Rashed Bouresly admitting that the result was still a surprise.
“I must admit to being pleasantly surprised and full credit to the horse for his attitude. I gave him a breather and then asked him again in the final 200m. He was brave.”
Nine three year old colts were unleashed in the dirt main event over 1600m, the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas, which was a real bell-ringer of a battle all the way through.
Shirl’s Bee was looking to make it two on the trot as he tried to stop eventual winner Tall Boy from taking the victory over the final 225m.
Previously a maiden after four starts in the US, the Looking At Lucky colt was opening his account with William Buick in the saddle for Doug O’Neill and Calumet Farm. Like a time warp jockey and trainer also landed this prize in 2020 with Fore Left for Reddam Racing.
“We went very quick from the outset and I was surprised he showed so much early speed. The UAE Derby would look an obvious target and both horses have really battled,” Buick said.
George Boughey prepared hot favourite Al Dasm for the Dubai Trophy conditions race over 1200m and it never looked like losing this.
With Mickael Barzalona in the saddle in the silks of Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, the Harry Angel colt took the win by a length of 3.75 margins.
Boughey also prepared the runner up Perdika who was ridden by Saffie Osborne, daughter of fellow trainer Jamie Osborne, for the third time this campaign.
“That was probably easier and more impressive than last time. He has plenty of natural speed and a touch of class,” Barzalona said.
The partnership of Mussabbeh Al Mheiri and jockey Dane O’Neil delivered a double for the meet with Alkaamel wining the Dubai Islands handicap, race two, as well as winning the Listed Business Bay in the concluding race when Danyah crossed first by 2.25 lengths.