 |
|
| Staff Writer |
Cupid's Dream is keeping the dream alive at Meydan, landing the Lincoln Presidential Handicap in style for trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri. The 4YO gelding, whose dam is named Valentine's Day, proved the perfect Valentine's day winner, powering to a four-length victory over Mount Kosciuszko in the 1600m dirt feature.
Jockey Silvestre De Sousa, riding with more restraint than on the gelding's local debut, positioned his mount perfectly behind the leaders before striking for home off the final turn.
"He's been pleasing in every gallop at home," said De Sousa. "Dropping back in trip suited him and there was plenty of pace. We're keeping the dream alive!"
 |
Flying in for just one ride proved fruitful for William Buick as Creative Story maintained his perfect Meydan record in the Lincoln Aviator Presidential Handicap. Charlie Appleby's charge made it two from two at the track, traveling smoothly in midfield before asserting by a length from Al Salt.
Buick, who has a busy schedule ahead in Qatar, reflected: "He's a lovely horse and he came here winless this winter having been tried in some nice maidens at home. I love the way he does it, he's a very straightforward horse and he just does everything you need him to. He relaxes, picks up well, and he'll stay a mile. I know it was off a low weight [55kilos], but he had plenty left."
Ahmad Bin Harmash enjoyed a remarkable 35-minute double, starting with Valdivia claiming a thrilling Lincoln Corsair Handicap over 2000m on turf. The consistent 4YO overcame interference at the 200m mark to deny Kathab by a neck, with Natural World in third.
The trainer's success continued when Sir Harmony dominated the Lincoln Nautilus Conditions race. The Speightster colt made all to secure his second career victory, building on his maiden win at Jebel Ali.
"We've always held him in high regard from day one. He won nicely up the hill and then didn't back it up. He's a horse with plenty of ability, he just needed to grow up a bit," said Beasley after his 29th winner of the season.
Apprentice Lorenzo Putzolu celebrated his first UAE winner when Markakol took the Lincoln Aviator Handicap for trainer Julio Olascoaga. Despite an awkward break, the winner cleared away at halfway for a length and a quarter victory over Al Muzn.
The opener saw Salb provide apprentice Hamad Al Busaidi with his first Meydan success in the Al Tayer Motors Purebred Arabian contest for trainer Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
Mashkoor, representing the in-form Marwan Al Baidhaei yard, claimed the Lincoln Handicap over 2200m on dirt by three-quarters of a length from Swedish raider Havandi, while the closing Lincoln Navigator Handicap went to the Fawzi Nass-trained No Retreat, who finally converted after four runner-up finishes, beating Warsong by half a length.
Meydan returns next Friday, with the Gr.2 Balanchine taking centre stage.