Barney Roy was the star of the show this evening and provided the highlight in a sparkling treble for Charlie Apppleby.

Retired to stud at the end of his brilliant three-year-old career, Barney Roy clearly retains plenty of ability and he won tonight’s feature – the Group 2 Al Rashidiya – with something to spare in a race where Godolphin had the first four home.

Appleby went on to swiftly complete a double via Secret Advisor and he also landed the finale with American Graffiti. All three were ridden by different jockeys and, at the halfway stage of the Carnival, he is now level with Saeed Bin Suroor.

The pair have each had seven winners.

Satish Seemar is also enjoying an excellent Carnival, especially on dirt, and his Gladiator King enhanced his reputation with a determined victory in the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint.

Two Swedish-trained runners, Plata O Plomo and Stricker, fought out the Mina Hamriya Handicap, while the popular combination of Fawzi Nass and Adrie de Vries were also in the winner’s enclosure. The night had started with Ziyadd starring among the Purebred Arabians.

The highlight next week will be the $450,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 over 1900 metres. It could feature a compelling clash between Benbatl and Kimbear.

Charlie Appleby had a treble this evening and is clearly not going to surrender his champion trainer crown without a fight. Standings below: