Tuz Storms into Shaheen Scene at Meydan

By
iRace
-
He was once known as the ‘Russian Frankel’ and Tuz showed why with a stunning success in the G3 Dubawi Stakes – an early prep for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
He was once known as the ‘Russian Frankel’ and Tuz showed why with a stunning success in the G3 Dubawi Stakes – an early prep for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

He was once known as the ‘Russian Frankel’ and Tuz showed why with a stunning success in the G3 Dubawi Stakes – an early prep for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

The lightly raced seven-year-old was beaten by Eastern World at Sharjah on his reappearance but took no prisoners here, beating that rival and 11 others in blistering fashion. Drawn in 13, the Bhupat Seemar-trained gelding blasted out of the stalls and barely saw another rival, charging further clear in the straight and beating stablemate Leading Spirit by eight and a half lengths.

“When he’s good, he’s very good,” said winning rider Tadhg O’Shea. “He carried a penalty at Sharjah and he’s a big horse, so he needed the run. He had a bad habit before of not changing his lead but he’s over all that now. The best thing about him is that he has so much early speed.

“He’ll give his roommate [G1 winner] Switzerland something to think about in the coming weeks!”

Overcoming wide draws became something of a theme as Pat Dobbs did the same when guiding Doug Watson’s San Donato to success in the G2 Zabeel Mile.

Also breaking from 13 but on the turf, he had to suffer at the back early on but found a gap along the rail once Marbaan had gone for home. From there, Dobbs had plenty of horse left and easily passed that rival and wide challenging El Patriota, who finished third.

“When he’s on song he’s very good and carries you into the race well,” said Dobbs. “I knew he was on form today because he went to post all fired up.

“I was following a horse I didn’t want to and had to pray for the gaps, but they opened and he went through them very well.”

Boughey Back with a Bang

British trainer George Boughey enjoyed a fruitful 2023 Carnival thanks to Al Dasim and Walbank looks his latest sprinter to follow after his win in the Azizi Venice Handicap, over 1200metres on turf.

Racing on the far side of the track under William Buick, the four-year-old made light of a six-month absence and reeled in long-time leader Democracy Dilemma inside the final furlong, then holding off the battling Yonafis by a length and a quarter.

“It was actually Kia’s [Joorabchian, founder, Amo Racing, owners] plan to have a runner in Dubai and this horse fitted the bill,” said Boughey. “My team here have done a great job. He’s a horse who had an issue or two as he got fitter but they seem to have been ironed out now.

“He could go to the [G2] Blue Point Sprint or the Listed race [Dubai Sprint] over six furlongs [1200metres].”

Out of luck with Democracy Dilemma, owners Jim and Fitri Hay saw their silks in the winner’s enclosure 35 minutes later when Nevershow Weakness made it two for the season.

A maiden winner over a mile in December, the Bhupat Seemar trainee was given a confident frontrunning ride by Tadhg O’Shea in the 2000metre Azizi Reve Handicap and powered clear for a three and a half-length win over Lion’s Mane.

“It’s lovely to get these up-and-coming horses,” said O’Shea. “I told his owners that they’d see a different proposition when he goes up in trip and I actually think he’d get a mile a half.

“He’s been showing us all the signs at home, even before he ran.”

Godolphin Strike First in 2024

Charlie Appleby wasted no time in getting his 2024 started the right way and took the opening Zabeel Turf, over 1600metres, with Local Dynasty.

It was a smooth fourth career win for the son of Dubawi, who was ridden by William Buick to a three and a quarter-length victory over Ursa Minor.

“That was a good way to start,” said Buick after his first ride of the year. “It was about getting him not to do too much early on. If you look back through his form, he’s never really run a bad race.”

Appleby and Buick doubled up later on when Legend Of Time put up an impressive performance in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, over 1400metres on turf.

The Sea The Stars colt was making just his third career start and had to do it the hard way from stall 14. Buick always looked confident, however, and tracked across early on before asking for an effort turning for home. Legend Of Time won with plenty in hand, but credit must go to the second, Shamrock Glitter, who closed to a quarter-length of the winner despite trouble in running.

“I was very happy with him,” said Buick. “We did expect him to win but the pace wasn’t overly strong and he jumped well and had to cover ground. He’s a very progressive horse and will be better over a mile.”

Runner-up in the opener, Ahmad Bin Harmash gained his 13th winner of the season with Mr Kafoo in the second race, the Mina By Azizi Maiden, over 1200metres on dirt. The grey was ridden by Jockeys’ Championship leader Connor Beasley who took a lead from Chief Of Navy, taking over off the final turn. From there on he always had enough left and beat Nyaar by three-quarters of a length.

“He’s a bundle of fire, a bundle of speed; this little horse,” said Beasley after his 25th winner of the campaign. “The plan was to lead but then when I saw the other horse take over I was happy with that. I’m delighted for the horse.”

Ma Yetal is Something Special

The second of the three-year-old contests was the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial in which Ma Yetal confirmed the promise of his emphatic Jebel Ali debut win.

Trained by Michael Costa and ridden by Ben Coen, the Flameaway colt was given a rating of 103 after his 13 3/4length first appearance but had to work harder here, finding himself blocked for room when turning for home. Extricated from that spot, he went for the line but was pushed all the way by Quartier, who made relentless progress from the back under Jose Da Silva.

“I knew I had the horse under me, but he didn’t do much when he was in the lead and it can be quite a scary place when you’re alone in front – he had a good look around,” said Coen.

“He’s a very straightforward horse and a pleasure to have in the stable,” added Costa. “He’s got a lot of maturity for a horse his age and I think he’ll improve for the step up to a mile.”

On a good night for local owners, “Dubais everywhere!” was the call of commentator Pat Comerford when Made In Dubai beat Royal Dubai, with Sari Dubai fourth, in the closing Azizi Riviera Handicap, over 1600metres on turf.

It was a third career success for Salem Bin Ghadayer’s Made In Dubai, and a second this season. He and Mickael Barzalona threaded through late for a length and a quarter win.

Meydan Racecourse stages its sixth meeting of the season next week, on Friday, January 12th. The AED300,000 Lord North Handicap and Al Wasl Stakes are the co-feature races.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR