James Doyle delivers United Color to win in Dubawi Stakes

United Color, ridden by jockey James Doyle, galloped to the win in the fifth race at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Thursday night. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // The inaugural running of the Listed Dubawi Stakes, over the same 1,200-metre Tapeta course and distance as the Group 1 Golden Shaheen on World Cup night, was won by United Color, trained on Jebel Ali racecourse by Dhruba Selvaratnam.

It was a quality race for the grade, with the past two Golden Shaheen winners in the field, but both Reynaldothewizard (2013) and Krypton Factor (2012) were making their seasonal debuts, whereas Selvaratnam’s runner was a good second on his one previous outing this season.

From the widest draw, jockey James Doyle took Selvaratnam’s charge in pursuit of early leader Farmleigh House, sweeping past that rival 300 metres out and the pair ran on strongly to land the spoils.

“The decision to race prominently was basically made for me with such a steady gallop, and once we hit the front he has battled on gamely,” Doyle said. “That Jebel Ali run three weeks ago put him spot on for this.”

Only one race was run on turf, a 2,000m handicap, and Sheikhzayedroad led home a 1-2 for the UK, hitting the front 100m out and holding on well from Aussie Reigns.

“This horse has been great for me over the last year or so, and it is great to be associated with him,” said Martin Lane, who rode the winner for David Simcock. “Obviously, he is named after a rather famous road here so well done to the owners as well.”

The opening 2,200m handicap was turned into a procession by Cat O'Mountain, trained for Godolphin by Charlie Appleby, and a very easy winner under the stable jockey Mickael Barzalona.

The jockey was happy to take his time until making smooth progress 600m out and shooting clear 200m later to win decisively. The four year old has now won all five starts on synthetic surfaces, having failed to win on turf in four attempts. “He loves these all-weather tracks and I could not believe how far clear I was 200 metres out,” Barzalona said. “He could drop in trip or will stay farther, so we have plenty of options.”

After a good summer, Godolphin’s Appleby has made a flying start to his UAE career and, after last week’s double Wedding Ring was the smooth winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial, over 1,400m on Tapeta and given a very confident ride by Barzalona.

Still well off the speed 500m out, Barzalona pulled out his mount and the pair charged down the centre of the track to take the lead about 50m out.

“She is a nice filly and did that very well,” Barzalona said. “She stayed the 1,400 metres well and was running on so, hopefully, the 1,600 metres in the Guineas itself will suit.”

Trainer and jockey were denied a quick treble when their Safety Check failed to catch Emirates Flyer in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, over the same course and distance. However, Godolphin still supplied the winner, courtesy of Emirates Flyer, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and the mount of Silvestre de Sousa. Settled behind the early speed, Emirates Flyer was sent to the front 200m out and held on grimly.

“He is a nice horse, as we saw in England, and he has been working very well on this surface so we were always hopeful,” De Sousa said. “It was a good win in what looked a strong renewal.”

Racing concluded with a 1,600m handicap with Zain Shamardal, ridden by Royston Ffrench for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe, holding on in a riveting finish.

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