Trainer Charlie Appleby paid tribute to Cross Counter after the Melbourne Cup winner followed up that success by winning the Dubai Gold Cup.
He led home a Godolphin one-two to give them their first victory of the night as he defeated stablemate Ispolini in a tense tussle in the Group 2 event.
“It was his first opportunity to run since Melbourne and he answered all the questions,” Appleby said of the horse, who had given Godolphin their first ever Melbourne Cup win in November.
“William was put in a bit of a pocket in the race but you’re actually never too worried when you’re working with the nice horses and good jockeys we have.”
Jockey William Buick said: "The pace was a bit stop-start and I was very happy with the way he travelled and he finished off well. It is a great effort when you consider he has been off since the Melbourne Cup.”
Ispolini's jockey Brett Doyle said of his horse's efforts: “He travelled strongly the whole way and gave me a great spin.
"The race turned into a sprint but I was happy with my position throughout and he stayed on well. This was his first run over 3200m and given how well he travelled and the pace he showed - he may be better back over 2800m.”