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| Staff Writer |
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Tuz demonstrated his sprinting prowess with a commanding performance in the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint at Meydan, setting himself up perfectly for a defence of his Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen crown. Under Tadhg O'Shea, the 7YO speedster broke sharply from the widest draw and barely saw another rival, powering clear to win by five and three-quarter lengths.
Previous winners of this race include Mental (2012), who went on to win the Group One Al Quoz Sprint, and Reynaldothewizard (2016), a Dubai Golden Shaheen victor.
The Dubai Racing Carnival's international contingent celebrated their first success when British raider Heart Of Honor claimed the ARN Conditions Stakes for two-year-olds. Trained by Jamie Osborne, the Honor A.P. colt tracked the pace under Adrie De Vries before asserting in the straight to defeat Estmrar by four and a half lengths.
Musabbeh Al Mheiri and jockey Danny Tudhope dominated proceedings with a spectacular treble. The highlight came via El Nasseeb, who returned from a year-long absence to land the Daman Markets Conditions Stakes for three-year-olds. The Profitable colt produced a devastating turn of foot to surge past favourite Falcon Of Arabia for a four-length victory.
The pair also struck with Onight in a thrilling three-way finish to the Binghatti Developers Handicap, prevailing by a nose from Gamekeeper, while Elyabri completed their three-timer in the Zoho Handicap.
Other notable winners included Ezaj, who produced an impressive five-length victory in the 2200m Binghatti Developers Handicap for trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash and jockey Connor Beasley, while Welcome Dream finally broke his maiden at the ninth attempt for Doug Watson in the ARN Network Handicap.
Alsayel rounded off proceedings with a gutsy win in the Phi Advertising Maiden under Ben Coen for trainer Michael Costa, who was absent due to illness.
Trainer Bhupat Seemar outlined future plans for Tuz, saying: "In my opinion he's one of the fastest horses in the world. He beat some of the fastest horses from Japan and America in the Golden Shaheen. He had to do what he did today, but then there's always a worry because he's a big horse, a 7YO, and he was drawn seven."
The Dubai Racing Carnival continues next Friday with the Gr.2 Madjani Stakes taking centre stage at Meydan.