DUBAI // Antonio Fresu is enjoying a remarkable first season in the UAE. The young Italian jockey picked up a Group 3 prize, two weeks after winning the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2.
He rode Nomorerichblondes to an impressive victory in the UAE Oaks over 1,900 metres at Meydan Racecourse. With Nashmia having withdrawn, Nomorerichblondes seized the opportunity to record her second win in five starts.
The filly stormed to the front down the home stretch to win by over a length from the fast-finishing Midnight Chica under Christopher Hayes.
“I was very confident and when I spoke to Ahmed [bin Harmash, the trainer] after she finished second in the trial [over 1,600m] the longer trip would suit her,” said Fresu, who took his season tally to 17 winners.
“She was travelling strongly ... She was more confident in herself and did it very easy.”
Godolphin had three winners with trainer Saeed bin Suroor saddling a double and Charlie Appleby taking the other.
The Dubai operation swept the top three spots in the second and third races. Bin Suroor claimed the Listed Meydan Classic with Top Score and Appleby bagged the next, a handicap, with Viren’s Army.
Top Score, under Adrie de Vries, came through the middle of the field to take the lead from the front-running Fly At Dawn to win by half a length. Real Special was third. Colm O’Donoghue on Viren’s Army led from start to finish over the 2,000m distance.
Oisin Murphy steered Beautiful Romance to a stunning victory over Vazirabad, winner of the Dubai Gold Cup last year, to complete Godolphin’s hat-trick under three different jockeys.
Sam Hitchcott sprang a surprise riding Etijaah to win the listed Curlin Handicap from Mike de Kock’s Mubtaahij.
Jim Crowley on Suyoof atoned for Mubtaahij’s defeat in the previous race by taking the concluding handicap in a thrilling finish for the South African trainer.
The British champion jockey weaved through horses from the back of the field to pip Godolphin’s Bravo Zolo and stable companion Tahanee as they flashed past the winning post.
Handassa left a disappointing first run of the season behind him with a battling victory in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, the trial race for the Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
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