Dubai Beach gives Suroor sixth Cape Verdi glory

There was a popular winner of the G2 Cape Verdi (sponsored by Azizi Developments) at Meydan Racecourse when Dubai Beach gave veteran Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor his sixth win in the 1600metre fillies and mares’ contest.

Before the race, much of the attention had been on dual South African G1 winner Quid Pro Quo, who ran a superb race on local debut, lunging late between Dubai Treasure and Dubai Beach and failing to catch the latter by a neck.

On Dubai Beach’s chances in the G2 Balanchine, over 1800metres, he added: “She’ll stay nine furlongs as she hit the line strongly today so she should have no trouble seeing it out.”

The main supporting race, the Cocoa Beach Stakes put Labwah firmly on the Classic trail – but only just.

Salem Bin Ghadayer’s filly beat Tjareed into third in the Shahama Stakes last time out but found that rival much tougher to beat here, being headed by her in the straight and battling back for a short head success under Bernardo Pinheiro.

Pinheiro and Ghadayer doubled up in the penultimate Azizi Mina handicap with Folk Festival, who arrived from last place to deny Regheeb in the 1600metre contest.

Wathnan Racing and trainer Hamad Al Jehani are having a good season from their new permanent Dubai base and enjoyed a double, the highlight of which was French Duke in the closing Vazirabad Handicap.

Ridden by James Doyle, the five-year-old ran on well from midfield to beat frontrunner Claymore by a length and a quarter.

Wathnan’s earlier win came courtesy of English Oak in the Burj Azizi Handicap, over 1600metres on turf.

Ridden by Doyle, the six-year-old, a previous winner at Royal Ascot, overcame a slow start and some trouble in running, before asserting at the 100metre mark and winning by half a length from Laneqash.

Beccali had a 373-day absence to overcome in the Azizi Reve Handicap, over 1400metres on turf, but settled the race in a matter of strides. It looked plain sailing for William Buick onboard the four-year-old, who powered clear for a three and three-quarter-length success over Original Outlaw.

There was a rare British-trained winner on the dirt when Antrim collected the Azizi Milan Handicap, race five, over 2200metres.

The Karl Burke-trained four-year-old, making his first start on the surface and first in Dubai, tracked the pace throughout and was unleashed at the 400metre point for a commanding three-length win over Valdivia. It was a first success in the UAE for jockey Sam James, and a second for Burke.

Earlier, Michael Costa’s Yotarid made it two wins for the season with a convincing victory in the Azizi Venice Handicap, over the straight turf 1200metres. Ridden by Ray Dawson, he sliced through the middle of a competitive field and won, going away, by a length from Echo Point.

Syndicate Suited and Booted had plenty to shout about in the opening Azizi Creek Views Handicap, won by their Impressive Act. Bhupat Seemar’s gelding was held up in the early part of the race but made relentless progress in the straight, beating Breakdancer by a length and a quarter.

Sticking with the local trainers, and UAE Championship leader Ibrahim Al Hadhrami added another one thanks to Jamra SB. The Omani-bred mare ran out the comfortable winner of the Purebred Arabians’ Azizi Riviera, in the hands of Hamed Al Busaidi.