Sweet revenge for Rayya over Winter Lightning at Dubai World Cup Carnival

Ridden by jockey Pat Dobbs, Rayya turned the tables on hot favourite Winter Lightning to win the feature race of the ninth and penultimate meeting of the 2018 Carnival.

Winter Lightning had beaten Rayya in the UAE 1,000 Guineas and trial for this race, but could manage only finish a distant third as Rayya had the plum draw in one and was never headed under Pat Dobbs to win by three and three-quarter lengths.

Drawn widest of all, Winter Lightning was never able to get any cover under Pat Cosgrave, plugging on just over four lengths for third behind fellow Godolphin-owned Expressiy.

Dobbs said: “We knew the trip would suit and I wasn’t going to waste that one draw. I was always going to be positive.

“She was a different filly tonight to the one beaten in the Guineas, when I was never happy. Tonight I knew on the back straight she was going to be hard to beat.”

Watson added: “I imagine we’ll go for the UAE Derby and it’s a relief she’s bounced back. We don’t know what happened last time but she was worked up, whereas this evening she was perfectly relaxed.”

Godolphin’s Zaman won the other contest for three-year-olds, the Listed Meydan Classic, which was run over 1600 metres.

His task was made easier by the withdrawal of Wasim, who had beaten him in the trial three weeks ago, but Zaman’s strong finish in that trial suggested the extra furlong would suit him and so it proved. Being well drawn in stall three, he was always travelling nicely under William Buick, riding for Charlie Appleby and when Buick pulled him out to challenge 300 metres form home the response was immediate, and they sprinted clear to win comfortably by a length and a half from Waqqad in second and Freescape in third.

Appleby and Buick also combined to complete an impressive turf double with the smooth victory of local debutant Rare Rhythm in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

He was settled well off the pace, as was multiple Group 1 and dual Dubai Gold Cup winner Vazirabad, who made smooth ground on the inside at the same time as Buick asked his mount to close. Vazirabad hit the front momentarily but Rare Rhythm quickened in style over a furlong out and opened a gap that Vazirabad never appeared likely to bridge; the winner coming in just under two lengths clear with Sheikhzayedroad a distant third almost eight lengths back.

Appleby capped a fine evening’s work by also winning the evening’s final race, the Al Naboodah Trade School Trophy handicap with Kidmenever.

Run over 2000 metres on turf, Kidmenever enjoyed a fine ride by James Doyle as the Godolphin charge finished two and a half lengths clear of a valiant Baroot under Christophe Soumillon, with Appleby-Godolphin stablemate Bankseaanother two lengths back in third.

The Curlin Listed Handicap, named after the 2008 Dubai World Cup winner who won the equivalent handicap before that victory, was won by Saltarin Dubai, who made virtually all under Richard Mullen for Satish Seemar.

In doing so he reversed form with Godolphin’s Don’t Give Up, who had beaten him into second on both their most recent outings but had to chase him home five lengths behind this time, with Etijaah in third

The only Purebred Arabian contest on the card, the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, got the meeting underway and was won by the Jean de Roualle-trained Ziyadd.

Run over the same 2000 metres on dirt as the Group 1 Kahayla Classic on the Dubai World Cup card, both the 1600 metre Round 1 winner, Paddy’s Day, and 2200 metre Round 2 victor, Barnamaj, were in the field, but they finished third and second, respectively, behind a resolute Ziyadd, who was given a well-timed ride by Richard Mullen. The pair were never far off the pace before hitting the front early in the straight and kicking clear to the wire. Passed by several rivals turning for home, Paddy’s Day re-rallied impressively to pick up third, while the always-wide Barnamaj’s charge at the death came a bit late.

Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor gained some consolation from the disappointment of Winter Lightning thanks to Top Score who produced a fast and late finish to land the Al Naboodah National Plant Trophy.

Run over 1400 metres on turf, Top Score, with Christophe Soumillon at the helm, made it third time lucky athis year’s Carnival coming in three-quarters of a length ahead of The Grape Escape in second Oh This Is Us who stayed on well late for third.

The final meeting of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival is next weekend’s Super Saturday, on March 10th, the dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup card three weeks later.

Before then however there is a further race meeting at Meydan this Saturday, 3 March.