Grade 1 winner Nations Pride was the headline act on day seven of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and he didn't let his supporters down, posting a smooth success in the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes (presented by DP World.)
The winner of the G1 Saratoga Derby and G1 Jockey Club Derby last season in the United States, the 4-year-old was positioned just off the leaders and was able to pounce on stablemate Ottoman Fleet and then hold off the fast-finishing Zagrey, winning by a length and a quarter under William Buick for trainer Charlie Appleby.
Appleby, winning this race for the sixth time in a row, now has big plans for the Teofilo colt, with the Group 1 Jebel Hatta and Dubai Turf under consideration.
“Immediately, you'd say have a crack at the Dubai Turf, as they'll go a good gallop over the 1800m (nine furlongs) there,” he said. “But we'll see how the cards fall.”
Appleby celebrated a treble which started in race four, the Lord Glitters Handicap, over 1600m (one mile) on turf. His New Kingdom had placed on all three previous starts at Meydan but gained his first local win here.
Buick did it the hard way from the front and had to endure a tense final 100metres when the unlucky in running Aegean Finale, carrying the hopes of Turkey, flew home for second, missing by a neck.
“He likes to be ridden that way and that's what Charlie was keen to do,” said the rider. “You could drop him back to seven furlongs, no problem, as he needed the line tonight. He showed great attitude and hopefully he can build on that.”
Appleby and Buick also continued the Godolphin stranglehold on the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy (presented by DP World), a prep race for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup day.
Siskany won over course and distance in the Listed Al Khail Trophy a year ago and was impressive again here, being unleashed for a run at the 400metre marker and easily passing stablemate and pacesetter Kemari. That rival finished fourth, behind Ardakan and Al Nayyir.
“He hadn't raced for a while so he was a bit fresh and over racing at stages,” said Buick after Godolphin's tenth success in the 2810metre turf event. “It was impressive in the end and, like any good stayer, he has that turn of foot. He's been rock solid from day one and hopefully he can make into a Dubai Gold Cup horse.”
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