William Buick backs Comicas to step up to Group 1 after bagging Dubawi Stakes

William Buick on-board Comicas won the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes in the Dubai World Cup Carnival’s second meeting at Meydan on Thursday. Antonie Robertson/The National

The Godolphin jockey William Buick believes Comicas has the potential to win a Group 1 prize after his victory in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes in the Dubai World Cup Carnival’s second meeting at Meydan on Thursday.

Comicas reversed the result over his conqueror Muarrab at the same course and 1,200-metre distance four weeks ago.

“He came home real good,” said Buick, who angled his run from outside the front three to win by a length and-a-quarter from Jim Crowley’s mount. Reynaldothewizard, the three-time winner of the race, finished third after a slow start.

“Halfway up the straight I was really hopeful yet it was hard to judge in a race. He was second in the Golden Shaheen [on the Dubai World Cup card] last year and ran a good third on soft ground in the Duke Of York Stakes [at York].

“It would be lovely to see him back in the Golden Shaheen this year and we think he’s a Group 1 sprinter. The great thing about him is he has lots of ability, a big heart and tries hard.”

Satish Seemar was all praise for the 12-year-old Reynaldothewizard and hopes to run him again in the Golden Shaheen on the World Cup night in March.

“He had to come from a long way behind and he did well to come close to two very strong runners,” said the Zabeel Stables trainer.

“He’s not done with his racing. He’s on his swansong year as horses above 12 are not legally permitted to race on the flat. We’ll see how he has come out of this race in the next week, and perhaps even run him on Super Saturday” on March 3.

Godolphin’s Winter Lightning stayed on course for a crack at the UAE 2000 Guineas with victory on his first local start.

The Shamardal filly was flown in to Dubai after just one career start in which she finished runner-up in a strong maiden at Newmarket last October, prevailed in a photo-finish from Rayya in the Trial race.

“She’s still learning and obviously will improve from this run,” said Pat Cosgrave, the winning rider.

“The other horse had the benefit of a run and found another gear after we got in front. But at the end my one hung in gamely and deservedly too. She should be better for her next run.”

Silvestre de Sousa, the British champion jockey, came from the back of the field to take the second race on the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Janszoon.

It was the first of two wins on the night in the silks of Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid.

The Doug Watson-trained Kimbear, under Dobbs, completed the double for the owner 35 minutes later with an impressive five-length victory over stable companion Layl and Rodaini.

Light The Lights under Christophe Soumillon got the better of the Godolphin pair Blair House and Leshlaa to provide South African trainer Mike de Kock with his first Carnival winner this season.

Soumillon had to work from the back of the eight-runner field over the 2,000m distance and held on to win by a neck with the third horse a further three and-a-half lengths behind.

“The pace was steady at the beginning and then it became a normal pace which was crazy,” said the Belgian jockey.

“There were not too many runners in the race so I was happy in that position and I could come out at the right time. My horse gave me a last turn of foot to win nicely.”

Godolphin rounded off the evening by taking the concluding handicap with Salsabeel to complete a treble on the night, and doubles for both Buick and trainer Charlie Appleby.

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Results:

6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions US100,000 1,400m.

Winner: Winter Lightning, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm: Handicap (rated 78-89) $60,000 2000m.

Winner: Janszoon, Silvestre de Sousa, Doug Watson.

7.40pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,600m.

Winner: Kimbear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

8.15pm: Handicap (105+) $175,000 2000m.

Winner: Light The Lights, Christophe Soumillon, Mike de Kock.

8.50pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 $175,000 1200m.

Winner: Comicas, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

9.25pm: Handicap (100-113) $135,000 1200m.

Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes.

10pm: Handicap (95-115) $135,000 1600m.

Winner:Salsabeel, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.