Naval Crown lowers course record in G2 Al Fahidi Fort
Naval Crown posted another significant turf victory at Meydan, UAE, as he broke the seven-furlong course record in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort on week two of the Dubai World Cup Carnival on Friday, 21 January.
The Dubawi homebred had beaten subsequent 2,000 Guineas runner-up Master Of The Seas in the Listed Meydan Classic last year before going on to enjoy a productive European campaign, including chasing home Creative Force in the G3 Jersey Stakes.
In a rough race, Naval Crown found himself short of room early on before settling in fourth on the inside rail after a furlong and a half. William Buick had to wait to switch Naval Crown turning for home but the Charlie Appleby-trained colt accelerated strongly after being angled out passing the two-furlong marker.
Naval Crown hit the front approaching the final furlong and fended off a sea of challengers in the closing stages, holding on well for a length verdict over Story Of Light.
His winning time of 1m 22.02s was nearly a third of a second quicker than the mark set by D’bai at the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival.
Charlie Appleby said: “There was a bit of jostling early on but William got Naval Crown into a nice position. He was one of the class horses in the race and one of the younger ones as well, so he had some fresher legs. We purposely put him away after the mid-season in Europe and he has got the job done nicely.
“I see him as a proper seven-furlong horse. He has a lot of natural pace and will sharpen up a bit for tonight’s run. We have him in the 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia and there is the new Ras Al Khor on Super Saturday here, so he has a couple of options.
“He is making up into a nice four-year-old and I think he has a good few years being competitive at this sort of trip.”
William Buick said: “We had to hold our position early on and were getting pressure the whole way through the race, but Naval Crown is a brave little horse, who travels great.
“He was the best horse in the race on form and was in good shape coming into it, so it was a good opportunity. He is a beautiful-looking horse, who is very strong, and deserves to win a big one.”
Desert Fire ensures G2 Al Rashidiya streak continues
Desert Fire maintained Godolphin’s stranglehold on the G2 Al Rashidiya as he decisively beat Royal Fleet and Art Du Val in one of the feature races on week two of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 21 January.
Horses in the royal blue silks had captured the nine-furlong turf highlight in each of the previous five years, with G1 winners Benbatl, Dream Castle and Barney Roy featuring among the recent roll of honour.
Highland Avenue built up a significant early advantage over the field, with Desert Fire settling in in third under Hector Crouch.
Desert Fire moved up to second turning into the straight and stayed on powerfully to reel in Highland Avenue entering the final quarter-mile.
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained seven-year-old soon opened up daylight over his 10 rivals and galloped out well to score by two and a quarter lengths over Royal Fleet, who edged out Art Du Val for second.
Saeed bin Suroor said: “Desert Fire has improved a lot physically with age – he’s seven now, so he is an old man! He always runs well when he is fresh and won nicely on his first start here a few years ago. He looks better than ever this year and I am happy for Hector Crouch to get his first G2 win.
“Hector is a smart jockey, who is always doing good, and I give him rides in England as well. I am always happy with him and think he will have a good future. He hit the front early on Desert Fire but it suited the horse and he kept going until the end. I think we will take Desert Fire to the G2 Singspiel Stakes next.”
Hector Crouch said: “That’s the biggest win of my career and it’s an amazing feeling. I am very thankful to Saeed and all the team for giving me the chance. I am delighted for Desert Fire, who has been around for a good number of years here and deserved a big one.
“Desert Fire quickened like he hasn’t before and that was the best he has ever felt. It seems funny as he is seven now, but hopefully there is more to come.”
Island Falcon swoops to conquer in Jumeirah Derby Trial
Improving three-year-old Island Falcon took another step forward in his burgeoning career with a comfortable success over New Kingdom in the Jumeirah Derby Trial at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 21 January.
The Iffraaj colt had shown good progression in two juvenile appearances for Saeed bin Suroor, ending his season with a battling success in the same Nottingham maiden won by Adayar in 2020.
Held up in mid-division by Frankie Dettori, Island Falcon quickened well after being angled out at the top of the straight and moved up with New Kingdom to press Pjerrot for the lead entering the final furlong.
Island Falcon took up the running with over half a furlong to race and hit the line strongly to prevail by a length and a quarter in the nine-furlong turf contest.
Saeed bin Suroor said: “Island Falcon has improved since last year and is a nice colt, who always shows some class in the mornings. Tonight’s trip suited him much better and I told Frankie beforehand to keep the horse happy and relaxed through the race. He showed a good turn of foot at the end and will improve for this race.
“We might look at something over a mile and a quarter for him now. We are very happy with the new turf programme for three-year-olds this year and we have a selection of horses to run over different trips, which is much better for us.”
Silent Speech finds top voice in Dubai Trophy
Silent Speech continued his progressive profile when beating Home City and Wild Place as the trio dominated in the six-furlong Dubai Trophy at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 21 January.
The Dubawi half-brother to Ultra, successful at Wolverhampton in November on his second start, was covered up towards the rear as Home City led the 10-strong field of three-year-olds in the turf sprint.
Silent Speech made smooth headway to challenge for the lead a furlong and a half out and the Charlie Appleby-trained colt forged clear in a matter of strides. He drifted towards the stands’ rail in the closing stages but had plenty in reserve to see off Home City by two lengths, with Wild Place keeping on for third.
Charlie Appleby said: “Silent Speech shows a lot of natural pace at home and has been training well out here. William gave him a nice ride – it’s windy enough tonight so he got plenty of cover before producing him at the right time.
“Hopefully, he’s a little horse who can progress through the sprinting ranks. I questioned whether he saw the seven furlongs out on his debut and James expected him to win going away at Wolverhampton but he fell through the line slightly. Our next step was to come back in trip and he has done it well tonight.
“There’s another sprint for the three-year-olds next month [Al Wasl Stakes] and we will have a look at that for him now.”
William Buick added: “It was a really likeable performance from Silent Speech. He is a very well-bred horse, who is very honest, and he coped fine with the drop back in trip. He lacked some experience compared to some of the others in the race but I really liked what he did.”
