Imperial Emperor fuels Dubai World Cup dreams as Seemar saddles four winners

Imperial Emperor went one place better than 12 months ago and earned automatic Dubai World Cup entry when winning the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge – the feature race on Fashion Friday at Meydan Racecourse.

It was a brilliant night for trainer Bhupat Seemar and this was the highlight of his four wins.

Ridden by Richard Mullen, the six-year-old tracked the pace set by Masmak and hit the front at the 600metre marker, staying on powerfully and holding off Tumbarumba by one and half lengths. Heart Of Honor closed for a distant third.

“I’m ecstatic! Actually, I don’t know how I’m feeling – what a horse!” said Ryan Tongue, Director of owners Deva Racing.

“This syndicate is Dubai, we love Dubai and to have another chance in the Dubai World Cup is a dream.

“I turned down the Saudi Cup invitation, which was a big thing, but we want to try and win the Dubai World Cup.”

Mullen, who only returned from a serious injury at the start of the season, added: “He’s very straightforward and gets himself in a great spot. I wanted to be positive with him and he traveled like a dream and when I saw Bernardo [Pinheiro, on Masmak] dropping away I thought “I have to go,” and he put the race to bed in a matter of strides.

“Tadhg [O’Shea, Seemar’s stable jockey] beat me in the race last year and I’m just keeping the saddle warm. It’s his horse, but if he doesn’t mind handing him to me again I won’t mind!”

Opera Ballo has been exciting ever since he first set foot on a racecourse almost exactly a year ago. The four-year-old now has a Group 1 after a scorching victory in the Jebel Hatta [presented by Longines].

On a brilliant night for jockey William Buick, who rode three winners, the colt pulled hard in the early stages of the 1800metre turf contest but was anchored just behind the leaders Silawi and Nations Pride. He hit the front 200metres from home and charged away for a two and a half length victory over Silawi, with Holloway Boy third.

The G3 UAE 2000 Guineas [presented by Longines] carried Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the first time and Six Speed now has 20 of them after dominating the race for Seemar and jockey Mickael Barzalona.

The Not This Time colt has recently been purchased by US-based owners Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Steve Adkisson and Swinbank Stables. They can now dream about the first Saturday in May after his all the way win, by five lengths, over Devon Island.

Seemar also won the G3 Firebreak Stakes [presented by Longines], with Mendelssohn Bay.

Syndicate Suited And Booted have had plenty to shout about this season and they collected another big win here. Their five-year-old ran up with the pace under Mullen and used his stamina to good effect, seeing off pacesetter and stablemate Commissioner King by two and three-quarter lengths.

Seemar celebrated again when Drew’s Gold won the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint, under Buick.

It was the second win in a row for the rejuvenated six-year-old, who traveled in midfield, quickening at the 300metre point and keeping on well to deny favourite El Nasseeb.

Buick did the sprint race double, partnering Cover Up to a conclusive victory in the G2 Blue Point Sprint [presented by Longines] 35 minutes later.

The six-year-old was positioned in mid-division in the 1000metre turf dash, coming with his usual late run to beat Echo Point and Ponntos who had been in a battle up front.

Earlier, Irish jockey Andrew Slattery collected his biggest win to date on Elnajmm in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort [presented by Longines].

The Michael Costa-trained six-year-old was returning from a 328-day absence but was resolute at the end of the 1400metre turf contest, beating Chicago Critic – ridden by Slattery’s cousin Ben Coen – by a quarter of a length.

Costa added that the G3 Ras Al Khor, on Super Saturday, March 28, was the likely next target for the gelding. Ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, the five-year-old went for home well before the straight in the 2810metre turf race, tiring close to the line but having enough in reserve to hold off Epic Poet.