Emperor Fuels Syndicate’s Dubai World Cup Dreams
Mdmar
There almost wasn’t space on the presentation stage for the 14 delighted owners of Imperial Emperor after Bhupat Seemar’s gelding stormed home in the G2 Al Maktoum Classic (sponsored by Emirates Airline) and gained entry to the G1 Dubai World Cup.
The gelding, an AED300,000 Racing In Dubai Sale purchase in March, was favourite for the AED1.7million contest but had to deal with draw 15 for the 2000metres. Jockey Tadhg O’Shea was able to secure a spot to the outside of the leaders and was in the perfect position from which to strike in the straight, leading off the final turn and storming home by eight and a half lengths from stablemate Artorius and Korean raider Global Hit, who ran a superb race from the front.
“Wow, what a horse!” said Ryan Tongue, Director of British-based syndicate Deva Racing. “This horse didn’t owe us anything before tonight, we just wanted him to come home safe.
“This a dream come true. I can’t believe we’re in the Dubai World Cup!”
O’Shea added: “This horse is on the up. I’ve only thrown my leg over him three times and I’ve won all three. That was probably a career best for him. It was a true run race and there was no hiding place out there. He’s very, very genuine.”
Nations Pride Bounces Back
As a four-time Group 1 winner, Nations Pride was rightly sent off favourite for the G2 Singspiel Stakes (sponsored by Emirates Airline) and he didn’t let his supporters down.
The six-year-old arrived off the back of defeats in the G2 Bahrain Trophy and G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf but put those well in the past. Ridden by William Buick, he was settled close to the pace in the 1800metre turf contest and pushed into the lead off the home turn. However, had to find plenty to see off the determined Holloway Boy, second, and First Conquest, third, by a one and a quarter lengths and three lengths.
“We came here confident that he was where he needed to be to win this race,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “He had valid excuses for his last two defeats as he’s only ever run twice right handed around Bahrain and been beaten twice. Then at Gulfstream he had a torrid shipping, it took a long time to get there and conditions weren’t really suitable.
“Hopefully there might be a bit of improvement to come and we’ll look towards World Cup night and the Dubai Turf. But if Romantic Warrior turns up we’re all running for place money!”
Buick and Appleby celebrated a second Group success on the night when Silver Knott charged home in the G2 Dubai City of Gold (sponsored by Emirates Airline).
The five-year-old had been campaigned at Group 1 level in the US and is likely to head back there later this season. He made no mistake here, leading all the way and beating Passion And Glory by two lengths, with British challenger See Hector third.
“Last season he spent most of the year in the States and we learned that he is very effective from the front,” said Buick. “He is very professional and he has a good level of ability to go with it. I was delighted with that and hopefully he can improve from it.”
History for Tuz!
The presence of Japanese challenger American Stage made the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (sponsored by Emirates.com) look a little tougher for Tuz than his three previous races this season, but no matter – he trounced them anyway.
Seemar’s sprinting star also made history, becoming the first horse to sweep the Listed Garhoud Sprint, G3 Dubawi Stakes, G3 Al Shindagha Sprint and this race all in one season.
He did it in his usual style, contributing to blistering fractions up front, especially when taken on by Al Shibli, but was still much too good, bolting up by five lengths from American Stage, with Eastern World, winner of this race in 2022, in third.
“He’s a streetfighter, he just keeps coming back – he’s like Muhammad Ali!” said Seemar. “He’s made history by becoming the first horse to win all the big dirt sprints.
“There will be some good sprinters here for the Dubai Golden Shaheen, but we have home turf.”
Caullery Causes Another Big Race Shock
The Nicolas Caullery team are getting a reputation for causing a shock and they did so again when Fort Payne collected his second Super Saturday win in the G3 Burj Nahaar (sponsored by Emirates Airline).
Last year, the win came over 1400metres on turf in the G3 Ras Al Khor, but Caullery switched the seven-year-old to dirt here, only his second time on the surface.
Ridden by Dylan McMonagle, he was in midfield through the early stages and then got into a battle with Oasis Boy in the final 400metres, eventually holding off that rival by a length to secure a spot in the G2 Godolphin Mile.
The winner was a first in the UAE for McMonagle, a late replacement for the sidelined Adrie De Vries.
“I spoke to Adrie before the race and he gave me plenty of confidence,” he said. “It’s just my third ride on the dirt but when you have a horse like this fellow it makes it much easier – it was really smooth.
“This is the kind of place you want to be riding winners, so I’m delighted to get that one ticked off.”
On a good night for international visitors, West Acre won his second race of the Carnival when just getting there in a thrilling finish to the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (sponsored by Emirates SkyCargo.)
George Scott’s gelding was dropping in grade from his G2 Blue Point Sprint win but had to work hard to overcome the gallant Ponntos who led until 100metres before the line.
“It was certainly harder work [than the last race],” said jockey Callum Shepherd. “Ponntos got into his normal groove and was slightly away from us which maybe suited him but not us; it would have been nice to have direct aim at him.
“He [West Acre] got away well and got into a nice position. He dug deep, was gritty and galloped out well after the line. I fancy he could be even better over the six furlongs [1200metres] of the G1 Al Quoz Sprint.”
Appleby Unleashes European Classic Hopes
The hottest favourite on the card was Mountain Breeze in the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas (sponsored by Emirates Skywards). The Appleby-trained filly was clinical with the win, passing gutsy Spanish frontrunner Octans in the straight and charging to a near four-length success.
“I think we were expecting that,” said winning rider Buick. “She’d only run over a mile once before and it didn’t really happen for her, so that was the only question mark.
“The important thing was for her to do it nice and smooth, and not to have to be asked. Hopefully this will set her up for a nice campaign back home.”
Appleby and Buick made it four for the night when Ruling Court justified favouritism in the Listed Jumeirah 2000 Guineas (sponsored by Emirates Holidays).
The Sandown maiden winner was third in a Group 3 when last seen at York in August but made light of the absence, traveling towards the back of the field under William Buick. He unleashed him in the straight for a hugely taking success, storming home six lengths ahead of The Fingal Raven and Norwegian raider War Socks.
“In some ways was quite pleased that he got beaten [in the G3 Acomb at York] because that meant we didn’t force him to do more than he was ready for,” said Appleby. “I’m very lucky in that I can put these horses away and allow them to develop.
“I think he’ll continue to develop and we will go back to Europe with a sharper model. I never want to get too excited in the immediate aftermath, but we anticipated him being a ten furlong [2000metre] horse, so whether we got to the Dante or take in the Guineas on route, we’ll see.”
Mubeed gives Dawson more G1 Success
Purebred Arabian Mubeed already had a spot in the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic courtesy of his win in the G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 in December, but he made doubly sure by winning Round 3 (sponsored by Arabian Adventures), too, giving trainer Dr Jaber Bittar a third top level success of the season.
The five-year-old UAE-bred was ridden by Ray Dawson who waited until the home straight to begin his march on longtime leader Hiab Al Zaman, winning comfortably by three and a half lengths from Tariq, with Hiab Al Zaman tiring into third.
“I was delighted to see Mubeed bounce back from his disappointing run last time,” said Dawson. “We thought a lot of him when he won his Group 1 here two months ago. I knew he’d give me that turn of foot, as long as I got an outside run, I knew he’d find a lot.”
Meydan is back in action next Friday, 21 February, for the penultimate meeting of the 2024-25 Dubai Racing Carnival.
