Ispolini overshadows rival to land Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan

The victory formed part of a double for trainer Charlie Appleby to add to his tally at this year’s Carnival, whilst there was also a first Dubai winner for trainer Simon Crisford for what turned out to also be a quick-fire double.

The Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy – sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City District One – was the key local prep for the $1.5 million Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors on Dubai World Cup night and Appleby’s Group 1 performer Brundtland was a clear pre-race favourite to land the trophy and first prize of $300,000.

However the Godolphin runner pulled up on the second turn and the contest, run over 2810 metres on the turf, proved to be a stroll instead for stablemate Ispolini, ridden by Mickael Barzalona. Circling and then powering clear with some ease, the pair came in a huge ten and a half lengths clear of the Saeed bin Suroor-trained duo of Red Galileo (ridden by Pat Cosgrave), who led for a long way, and Bin Battuta (Christophe Soumillon) who had beaten the winner in a turf handicap over 2410 metres in early January.

The victory was the second over the same course and distance, with the manner of victory clearly suggesting Appleby’s mount to be a leading contender for the 3200 metre Dubai Gold Cup on 30 March.

Speaking afterwards, Barzalona said: “He ran well last time and he showed a good turn-of-foot. Today I had instructions to make him settle well in the first part of the race and then to see how it goes. He did it very well and he has been very impressive today.

“I could wait for ages, but he was going so much better than the others. I had to take him out and let him just relax and he enjoyed it.

“Last time he showed he could travel strongly and today the plan was just to make him relax, but he has got some speed as well. I think (the 3200m of the Dubai Gold Cup) is possible.”

Appleby added: “I always knew that stepping up in trip was going to open new doors for him and he showed that in his last start, his first one over this trip.

“We thought he was going the right way going into this evening. He was a horse we felt was going to be very competitive.

“Going forward, he could a potential horse for the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night. There are plans for him to potentially go to Australia, as well. We’ll make a decision over the next 24 hours on what we’re going to do. “

The night’s other feature race, the Listed $160,000 Curlin Handicap sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City—District One, was also won at a canter this time by Dolkong, representing South Korea for owner Lee Tae In and trainer Simon Foster.

Rub over the same 2000 metres on dirt as the world’s richest horse race, the $12 million Dubai World Cup, the winner was something of an international mix having been foaled in the USA, trained by an Australian and having Frenchman Olivier Doleuze in the saddle.

A winner six times in his career, Dolkong opened his UAE account at the third attempt with a nine and a half length success from Etijaah in second and Galvanize in third a further four lengths back.

The second Listed race on the card was the $175,000 Meydan Classic – sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City District One – and in a much closer contest Sporting Chance earned British trainer Simon Crisford his first success at the Carnival.

The race, restricted to three-year-olds and run over 1600 metres on turf, produced a thrilling finish with Sporting Chance, who had hit the front over 300 metres out under Pat Cosgrave, edging Golden Jaguar close to the line by a neck.

Crisford, who has a satellite yard at Meydan, said afterwards: “I am really delighted for the horse and I think he put up a great performance. He battled strongly and is such an honest horse who had a good 2-year-old campaign and proved that class again today.

“At this stage, there are no plans for the horse. It was all about today and he delivered. We will get him back to England and decide on the summer.

“It feels fantastic (to win a first Dubai World Cup Carnival race). We love the Carnival. It’s hard to win a race anywhere, but especially difficult at the Carnival. Dubai is my second home, so this is a great feeling to have.”

And Crisford did not have to wait long to make it a winning double as African Ride and Christophe Soumillon ran out comfortable winners of the District One Crystal Lagoon Trophy.

The 1600 metre handicap on the dirt appeared to be run at a fast early gallop which the Belgian was happy to track until committing for home at the top of the lane. Once in front, the 5-year-old soon had the race in safekeeping, running on strongly to record a fourth career victory, adding this to three wins, on all-weather surfaces in France and possibly staking claims at the $1.5 million Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night.

Appleby completed his Godolphin’s double in the District One Elegance Stretch Cup as On The Warpath defeated stable companion Mubtasim.

The handicap run over 1400 metres saw William Buick aboard the winner, and the pair were never far off the pace and only quickened past their stablemate entering the final furlong to win steadily by a length.

After the earlier disappointments, Saeed bin Suroor did land the evening’s finale, the District One World Class Run, thanks to the efforts of Mountain Hunter.

The winner won a similar race – over 2000 metres on the turf – two weeks ago and added to that success with a comfortable three-quarters of a length verdict over Zorion in second and fellow joint favourite Desert Fire in third.

There was also one Purebred Arabian race on the card, the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City District One, which kicked off the meeting and was landed in style by AF Maher.

Run over 2000 metres on the dirt, the winner was never headed under Tadhg O’Shea having been perfectly drawn for positive tactics in stall two. O’Shea was able to secure the favoured rail and his mount was always travelling well before shooting clear on the home turn. Last year’s winner Ziyadd gave chase, but never looked likely to bridge the gap, having to settle for second.

The next action at Meydan racecourse is on Saturday, 2 March, with the latest ‘Racing at Meydan’ card ahead of Dubai World Cup Carnival’s Super Saturday on Saturday 9 March.