G2 third for Wedding Dance in Cape Verdi
Lightly raced filly Wedding Dance secured a second Group-race placing when coming home third in the G2 Cape Verdi at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 14 January.
The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, runner-up in the G3 Prix Six Perfections as a juvenile, broke on terms in the mile turf feature and soon disputed third on the inside rail.
Wedding Dance stayed on to challenge for second approaching the final furlong and continued to battle under William Buick in the closing stages, edging out Down On Da Bayou for third on the line.
Pevensey Bay, second to Pennybaker in a Deauville Listed race on her previous start, flew home to beat Ascot Brass by three-quarters of a length, with a further half-length back to Wedding Dance.
Charlie Appleby said: “We are pleased with Wedding Dance, who has run well. It looks as though a step up in trip will suit and she should come on for this start, so we are hopeful she can be competitive in the G2 Balanchine next month.”
Sovereign Prince rules in Jumeirah Classic Trial
Sovereign Prince laid down an early marker for the new three-year-old turf programme at this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival with a resolute display in the seven-furlong Jumeirah Classic Trial at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 14 January.
The son of Dubawi, who rounded off his juvenile campaign in the UK with a nursery handicap success at Epsom Downs, soon disputed second on the inside of Razeen Dubai as Hotline Bling led the eight-strong field.
Sovereign Prince travelled strongly turning in and quickened up the inner rail under William Buick to take up the running a furlong and a half out.
The Charlie Appleby-trained runner opened up a two-length lead with half a furlong left and had enough in reserve to see off the late rally of Sed Maarib and score by half a length.
Charlie Appleby said: “Sovereign Prince was a consistent little horse during his two-year-old season. He doesn’t quite have the profile of some of the three-year-olds we have brought out in previous years but we knew he was fit and the race worked out perfectly.
“They went a good gallop and William had him in the box seat. The way the leader peeled off and allowed William to get up the inside was probably a race-winning move and he is a game horse. It’s a great series to have for the three-year-olds and this has opened up a few doors.”
William Buick said: “It was a perfect race for Sovereign Prince and the conditions were in his favour. He is very game and honest, so you can’t ask for much more.”
Dominant win for Dubai Future in Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic
Dubai Future enhanced his excellent record at Meydan with a comprehensive victory over Star Safari in the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic on week one of the Dubai World Cup Carnival on Friday, 14 January.
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained son of Dubawi had chased home Walton Street in the same race in 2021 before going on to capture the Listed Meydan Cup, take second in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold and finish fifth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
After racing in mid-division for much of the 12-furlong contest, Dubai Future showed superb acceleration in the straight, quickening between horses to hit the front over a furlong from home. Dubai Future soon streaked clear for Pat Cosgrave, coming home five and a quarter-lengths ahead of Star Safari.
Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future won nicely and we will look for a Group race for him now. I think this distance of a mile and a half is best, although he could go a mile and six furlongs as well. He needs a break between races and always runs well fresh, so we will see how he comes out of this and look at running him back in Group company.”
Pat Cosgrave added: “I rode Dubai Future a couple of starts ago at Kempton, when he was very keen, and I learned from that day. I left him alone in the gates today and he relaxed better. I was looking for room turning in and, when I got it, he took off. He was very impressive.
“I think he really likes this track. There is a little bit of give underfoot and the style of racing suits him. He has won off 108 today and there is nowhere else for him apart from going into better races again. The way he won today, I think he is ready to step into the top level.”
fonte : Godolphin
