Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and Cupid’s Dream read the script to perfection at Meydan Racecourse, winning one of the dirt features on the Al Tayer Motors-sponsored Carnival card.
The four-year-old, whose dam is called Valentine’s Day – was an appropriate winner of the Lincoln Presidential Handicap, over 1600m.
Silvestre de Sousa steers Cupid’s Dream to victory (Pic – ERA)
Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s gelding had looked unlucky not to win on his local debut when opening up a huge lead but was ridden with more restraint here by Silvestre De Sousa. He tracked the leaders, going ahead off the home turn and winning stylishly, by four lengths, from Mount Kosciuszko.
“He’s been pleasing in every gallop at home,” said De Sousa. “Dropping back in trip suited him and there was plenty of pace. We’re keeping the dream alive!”
William Buick has a busy weekend ahead in Qatar and flew in for just one ride, which was a winning one when Creative Story landed the Lincoln Aviator Presidential Handicap.
A winner last time out, Charlie Appleby’s gelding made it two from two at Meydan, traveling in midfield, switching out for space at 400m, but still winning cosily by a length from Al Salt.
“He’s a lovely horse and he came here winless this winter having been tried in some nice maidens at home,” said Buick. “I love the way he does it, he’s a very straightforward horse and he just does everything you need him to. He relaxes, picks up well, and he’ll stay a mile. I know it was off a low weight [55kilos], but he had plenty left.”
Earlier on, there was a thrilling finish to the Lincoln Corsair Handicap, over 2000metres on turf, which gave Valdivia his second win of the season, and first on turf.
Ahmad Bin Harmash’s four-year-old has been highly consistent this season and recovered from some interference at the 200metre marker, getting in front when it mattered and beating Kathab by a neck, with Natural World third.
“It was a messy race all the way, 16 runners with the rail pushed out has tightened the track up a fair bit,” said Beasley after his 29th winner of the season. “But he’s stuck his neck out and run all the way to the line.”
Beasley and Bin Harmash doubled up 35 minutes later when Sir Harmony dominated the Lincoln Nautilus Conditions race, for three-year-old non-winners of two.
The son of Speightster was far too good here, making all and landing his second career win, adding to a maiden success at Jebel Ali a month ago.
“We’ve always held him in high regard from day one. He won nicely up the hill and the didn’t back it up. He’s a horse with plenty of ability, he just needed to grow up a bit,” said Beasley.
“Today he was a lot better; jumped, traveled good and got the job done nicely. Whatever he does this season is only a bonus, I think he’ll be a nice horse for next season.”
Laurel River’s Lorenzo Off The Mark
Apprentice Lorenzo Putzulu has made a name for himself as the daily rider of Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River but gained his first win in the UAE when Markakol took the Lincoln Aviator Handicap, over 1000metres on turf.
The win also ended a frustrating run of placed horses for trainer Julio Olascoaga, although he may have had a few anxious moments at the start when Markakol broke awkwardly, only to quickly get on terms and go clear at the halfway point. He tired close home but was still a comfortable length and a quarter win over Al Muzn.
“I saw the previous runs of this horse and I thought he would have a chance as he dropped a little bit in the handicap and he had the claim [three kilos],” said Putzulu who is race riding in the UAE for the first time this season but rode several winners during the summer in Scandinavia.
“It’s a tough game, especially here with all the top guys. I’ve been looking for it for a while and thanks to Julio and the owner for giving me the chance. It’s my first win in the UAE and to have it here at Meydan is amazing.”
It was a good day for apprentices, beginning in the very first race, the Al Tayer Motors-sponsored Purebred Arabian event. It went to Salb, who was given a patient ride by 3kilo claimer Hamad Al Busaidi, who produced him late on the rail to steal the victory.
It was a first Meydan winner for the Omani-born rider, fittingly in the colours of the Royal Cavalry of Oman and trained by another Omani in Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
Keeping up the Valentine’s theme, Mashkoor, a son of Cupid, landed the Lincoln Handicap, over 2200metres on dirt.
Continuing the good season of owner and trainer Marwan Al Baidhaei, the five-year-old grey was three-quarters of a length too good for Swedish raider Havandi.
The last race, the Lincoln Navigator Handicap over 1400metres on turf, provided a welcome win for trainer Fawzi Nass. His No Retreat had finished second on his four previous starts, but got the win here under Pat Dobbs, beating Warsong by half a length.
- Meydan is back in action next Friday, when the Gr2 Balanchine is the feature race.
