QUEEN AZTECA delivered a dramatic late surge to claim the Group 3 UAE Oaks (presented by DP World) at Meydan today (February 21st), keeping alive the possibility of a Kentucky Oaks appearance later in the season. Trainer Niels Petersen, Norway’s 13-time champion, endured an anxious watch as his filly, who had already defeated many of her rivals in the Cocoa Beach Stakes, struggled to make an impression early under jockey Carlos Lopez. At the top of the stretch, she seemed an unlikely winner, but she gradually reeled in the determined front-runner ARIGATOU GOZIAMASU, snatching victory by just under a length.
“It was more stressful than I expected,” admitted Petersen. “I didn’t think ARIGATOU would step up like that, but both fillies ran great races. From 50 meters out, I thought we had a good chance when ARIGATOU started to tire, though maybe it looked easier than it was in reality. We come from little Norway, so to win here on such a big stage is a huge achievement. I think all of Scandinavia was cheering us on today.”
The night’s official feature, the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes (presented by DP World), saw an upset as CHOISYA thwarted the much-anticipated return of CINDERELLA’S DREAM. The latter, a Grade 1 winner and unbeaten in two Meydan starts, was widely expected to dominate, but trainer Charlie Appleby had warned beforehand that she was not fully tuned up for this assignment. Under William Buick, she made a strong bid in the straight but was unable to overhaul CHOISYA, who added to her earlier Cape Verdi triumph and secured a memorable double for Simon and Ed Crisford.
“Today, there was much more early pace,” said winning jockey Mickael Barzalona, who had dictated matters from the front in the Cape Verdi. “This time, I was happy to sit just behind the leaders. When we hit the straight, I asked her to pick up, and she responded very well. It’s always a big advantage when a horse can adapt to different positions, and today she showed her versatility.”
The Crisfords’ successful evening began with MAGNUM OPUS producing a thrilling late charge to win the DP World Logistics Handicap over 1800 meters on turf. Ridden by Pat Dobbs, the horse found himself at the rear of the field turning for home but sliced through the pack to deny FOLK FESTIVAL, who had looked destined for victory under Bernardo Pinheiro.
“He didn’t travel well for the first half of the race, but once I got there and gave him a little squeeze, he showed a brilliant turn of foot,” said Dobbs. “There wasn’t much of a gap, but he was going so well that he was able to get through.”
A sentimental triumph came in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy (presented by DP World), where the evergreen DUBAI FUTURE rolled back the years to give Saeed Bin Suroor his first Meydan win in two years. Remarkably competing in his sixth Dubai Carnival at the age of nine, the Godolphin runner had not been seen on the track for over a year but showed no signs of rustiness. Given a patient ride by Silvestre De Sousa, he cruised past his rivals in the straight, securing an emphatic four-and-a-half-length victory and earning an automatic berth in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night.
“He had a little setback last year, which is why he didn’t run,” explained Bin Suroor. “I told Silvestre to hold him up today since it was his first run back, and he did a great job. He’ll now go straight to the Dubai Gold Cup.”
GALACTIC STAR also confirmed his place on the Dubai World Cup card, booking a spot in the Group 2 UAE Derby with a determined win in the Listed Al Bastakiya (presented by DP World). The Bhupat Seemar-trained colt, partnered by Richie Mullen, raced prominently throughout the 1900-meter contest and just had enough left to fend off British challenger and hot favorite HEART OF HONOR by a neck.
“I always knew they had a high opinion of this horse,” said Mullen. “He’s got his quirks, but he’s full of ability. There were some question marks over the trip, but Bhupat told me to ride him like he’d stay. The extra turns help horses settle, and that made the difference today.”
One of the most eye-catching performances of the evening came from CLASSIC CITY, who powered to a commanding victory in the DP World GCC Handicap over 2000 meters on dirt. The Ernst Oertel-trained six-year-old, ridden by Alexandre Da Silva, streaked clear of his 14 rivals in the straight, crossing the line six and a quarter lengths ahead of runner-up ELRAAED.
“I just bought him for a bit of fun!” admitted Oertel. “I didn’t even tell my wife Elise! But I was confident when I saw this race, as 2000 meters is exactly what he needs.”
Trainer Julio Olascoaga continued his fine run of form as EXPERT CHOICE secured his second victory in as many weeks, landing the Mina Rashid Handicap over 1600 meters on turf under Jim Crowley. The four-year-old, already successful in Abu Dhabi in December, proved too strong for Spanish raider EL BOSNIA, winning by a length and a quarter.
“I’m two from two on him, and he’s a horse who takes a little bit of knowing,” said Crowley. “I probably hit the front a bit too soon, but everything worked out today. He’s got more ability than he sometimes shows, so it’s nice to get another win out of him.”
The concluding race, the Jebel Ali Port Handicap over 1200 meters on dirt, saw the progressive SMART SYSTEM take another step forward. The Ali Al Badwawi-trained sprinter, ridden by Connor Beasley, overcame a rise in class to notch his second consecutive victory.
Meydan Racecourse will be back in action next Saturday, March 1, when Emirates Super Saturday offers a final set of crucial trials ahead of Dubai World Cup night.
