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Poker Face provided trainers Simon and Ed Crisford with a memorable victory in the Gr.2 Zabeel Mile (sponsored by Phi Advertising) at Meydan, as Pat Dobbs delivered a perfectly-timed challenge to deny Holloway Boy in a thrilling finish.
Racing in mid-division for much of the contest, the 6YO, having his first Meydan appearance, threaded through a narrow gap under Dobbs to claim victory by a nose. Noble Dynasty, trained by Charlie Appleby, finished a close third after attempting to make all under William Buick.
"I thought I was beaten!" said Dobbs. "I said well done to Danny Tudhope pulling up, so that's a nice surprise. We got racing from three out and I had a lovely position to keep things smooth with him. I got in behind William halfway down the back and I was happy with where I was then. This horse has improved as a 6YO."
UAE sprint sensation Tuz continued his dominance in the Gr.3 Dubawi Stakes (sponsored by Binghatti Developers), securing his third consecutive victory and becoming only the second horse after Reynaldothewizard to win the race twice. Ridden by Tadhg O'Shea, marking his 800th UAE winner, Tuz powered clear to beat Colour Up by five lengths.
O'Shea reflected: "He's a special horse, a great horse for the barn. It's a great privilege to be able to steer him around for my 800th winner. I had one slightly anxious moment going to the start when he saw something and slammed on his brakes but thankfully I stayed on."
Asaassi delivered a commanding display in the opening Zabeel Turf (sponsored by Daman Markets), leading home Godolphin pair El Cordobes and Endless Victory for trainer Michael Costa and jockey Ray Dawson. Despite a bump at the start and racing keenly, Asaassi showed impressive acceleration when taking command 400 metres out.
Dawson said: "You never get a race to go as smooth as that! It was perfect, especially from that draw. I was just hoping to get mid-division and luckily enough I was tracking Will Buick and my horse had plenty of gears and a lot of class."
Ahmad Bin Harmash enjoyed a productive evening with a quick-fire double. Rasas claimed the Sword Of Excellence Stakes under Connor Beasley, while juvenile Golden Vekoma impressed in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, paying a handsome compliment to the absent Heart Of Honour.
"He's got everything – the class the looks," said Beasley of Golden Vekoma. "I was delighted when I was drawn wide as 1400 metres is sharp enough for him. The key to him is that he was in a rhythm all the way tonight and going the mile or even further will be no problem."
Charlie Appleby's Age Of Gold secured victory in the Jumeirah Stakes under Richie Mullen, defeating better-fancied stablemate Hallasan. The winner struck slightly wide to reel in longtime leader The Fingal Raven, holding off Hallasan by a length and a quarter.
The meeting concluded with Crown Estate winning the Sword Of Honour Stakes for trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer and jockey Xavier Ziani. The Dubawi gelding, bred by the late Queen of England, made a successful UAE debut, defeating stablemate Made In Dubai by a length.
The international element was reinforced when Epic Poet claimed the 2810-metre Zoho Conditions Stakes for UK-based trainer David O'Meara and jockey Danny Tudhope, holding off King Of Conquest and Keffaaf in a tight finish.
"He was a bit fresh tonight which isn't him," said Tudhope. "But the race panned out nicely and he got the job done. The plan will probably be to go to Saudi for the two-mile race."
Meydan's next fixture features the Lord North Handicap as the headline event, promising another evening of high-class racing action at the UAE's flagship venue.