He was one of the headline acts on the card and G2 Godolphin Mile winner Isolate did not disappoint when charging to glory in the AED 1million G2 Al Maktoum Mile, the highlight of 'Festive Friday' at Meydan Racecourse.
Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who flew in from the US especially to take the ride, the Doug Watson-trained 5-year-old outlined potential Saudi Cup credentials with a dominant win from the front, easing to a three and a half-length success over stablemate Golden Goal.
“It's a pleasure to be here and thanks to connections for bringing me over,” said multiple G1-winning jockey Gaffalione. “He took control early and he seems a lot stronger this year. I have a ton of confidence in this horse and the way he ran today I don't think stepping up in distance would be a problem.”
“I take everything with a little bit of pressure, so I'm glad it's over!” added Watson. “He showed today that he's pretty classy and he should improve for the run. I'll leave it up to everyone else to decide if we go to Saudi.”
Internationals Quick Off the Mark
The new format of the Carnival means international runners arrived at Meydan earlier than ever before and they wasted no time in getting off the mark when Ponntos took the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash, over 1000metres on turf.
Ridden by Antonio Fresu – returning to the UAE from the US for the first time this season – the Miroslav Nieslanik-trained gelding blazed a trail along the far rail and was never caught, beating Bilhayl by three-quarters of a length.
“It's nice to be back with a bang!” said Fresu. “I was thinking, going to the gate, that the horse was more relaxed than last season. He is very speedy and always runs to the wire, so I'm just very happy for connections – they deserve it.”
There was soon a second overseas winner, when Vafortino beat two Group 1 winners in the Listed Business Bay Challenge, over 1400metres on turf.
Trained by UK-based Belgian Kevin Philippart De Foy, Vafortino and James Doyle had to switch around G1 Al Quoz Stakes winner Danyah inside the final furlong but still emerged on top, beating that rival by a head.
“That was a worry today – it can get a bit messy today in these big fields and Kevin told me that he can take a bit of time to warm to the task,” said Doyle. “So I was trying to look for a bit of room at the top of the straight. Thankfully, he got me out of trouble.”
Double for Appleby and Buick
It was never going to take Charlie Appleby and William Buick long to get motoring and they struck in the second of the Group 2s, the Al Rashidiya, over 1800metres on turf.
Their Measured Time was the sole three-year-old in the field of 11 but made the most of his weight break and was always prominent behind the early leader Wirko. Turning for home he quickly went several lengths clear and won easily, by three and a quarter lengths from Erzindjan.
“He's a horse full of promise and it's great to have a winner here on the first night,” said Buick. “Today was a new test for him; first time away from England; first time at Meydan. I still think he's a horse full of potential.”
The boys in blue doubled up later on when Dhahabi took the Listed DRC Classic, over 2410metres on turf. A 3.1million Guinea yearling, the half brother to Golden Horn hasn't really lived up to his price tag but opened his Meydan account at the third attempt, on his first start since March.
The five-year-old was given the perfect ride by Buick who kept him three back on the rail and produced him with a run down the centre of the track to streak clear of Scottish Anthem by two and a quarter lengths.
Atletico El Culano's last win came in Uruguay 18 months ago, but the Grade 1 winner rolled back the years with a last ditch success in the Listed Entisar Stakes, over 1900metres on dirt.
Ridden by Jose Da Silva for Julio Olascoaga, the seven-year-old had plenty of work to do early on but arrived with a sustained run well inside the final furlong to deny Military Law by a head.
“In our stable this was probably the horse that most deserved a win,” said Olascoaga after his third success of the campaign. “He got the job done today with his characteristic of coming from behind from a strong pace. It was a well-timed ride by Jose [da Silva], who also suggested to remove the blinkers during the week.”
Rich Lyke Me Digs Deep
It's been a busy start to the season for RB Rich Lyke Me and the G2 Madjani Stakes winner backed up two weeks later and successfully defended his title in G1 Maktoum Challenge R1 [Presented by Emaar] for Purebred Arabians.
Winner of the race in 2022 and earlier this year, the Fawzi Nass-trained grey had to dig deep this time, however, duelling throughout much of the race with stablemate Hiab Al Zaman. Seeing off that rival in the straight, he was then able to hold off Falaah by a length and a half.
“He had to work hard today,” said winning rider Adrie de Vries. “He was backing up quickly after two weeks and wasn't that sharp out of the gates today. There was a lot of pressure on my inside, too.
“I'll leave [future plans] up to Fawzi Nass and [owner] Sheikh Nasser, but the smart thing to do would be to keep him here and work back from the Dubai Kahayla Classic.”
Nass and de Vries doubled up later on when Manama Gold ran out the taking winner of the Storm Coaster by Emaar two-year-old fillies Conditions race.
The William Knight-trained Frost At Dawn opened up a commanding lead turning for home but Mamama Gold was electric when set alight by de Vries, passing her in a matter of strides and winning by two and a half lengths.
“This is a bit what I expected,” said the winning jockey. “She trialled really well; trained on from then, got more professional and she's a very clever filly.
“She was having a nice look at the winning post. I always like it when a horse is having a look around, it often means there's a bit left in the tank.”
It's rare that a Meydan meeting goes by without a win for Bhupat Seemar and the former Champion Trainer struck in the closing At The Top [Presented by Emaar] Handicap, over 1200metres on dirt.
Morning has always been a speedy sort but he and Richie Mullen had to survive almost falling at the start, coming from the back of the pack to secure a half-length win over Al Tariq.
The Dubai Racing Carnival continues on Friday, January 5th when the G2 Zabeel Mile, now worth AED850,000, is the feature.
The post Saudi Cup Aspirations? Tyler Gaffalione Flies Overseas, Pilots Isolate To Easy Victory In Dubai’s Al Maktoum Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
