Sovereign Prince Keeps Perfect Meydan Record

Charlie Appleby ran just one horse on Meydan's Jan. 8 card, but that was all he needed to take the featured Zabeel Trophy for the second year in a row.

Sovereign Prince  was protecting a 2-for-2 course record, having won the Jumeirah Classic Trial and the Jumeirah Classic last season, and made it three with minimum fuss. Settling nicely on the lead over the 1,600-meter turf course, he and William Buick remained there throughout, digging deep in the final furlong and holding off Zaman  and Tamborrada by a length and a quarter.

"He's a really straightforward, genuine horse, and he does well here," said Buick, riding his first winner of the UAE season. "He doesn't have to lead, but he's uncomplicated and he put himself there when no one else wanted it."

The Michael Costa success train just keeps on rolling. The Australian handler celebrated his eighth winner of the campaign when Nibraas landed the Riviera Handicap over 1,200 meters on the turf Sunday.

The consistent gelding had found 1,600 meters too far last time, but back at sprinting he made the most of his draw in 13 and had a rail position throughout under Jean Van Overmeire. Once going for home, the pair had to hold off the fast-finishing Harvest Gold, who may have been an unlucky loser, having come through runners from the back of the field.

"He's been quite sharp in his last two pieces of work, so I was pleased when I saw where we drew tonight," said Van Overmeire after his sixth winner of the season. "When I gave him a squeeze to quicken, he did it instantly."

Street Mood has been a consistent performer throughout his career and he gained a second win of the season in the Reve Handicap, over 1,600 meters on dirt.

Ridden by Antonio Fresu, the Musabbeh Al Mheiri-trained 4-year-old had plenty of horses ahead of him turning for home but made up ground rapidly toward the outside, swooping past Al Maroom and Triple Venture for a length and a half success, the third of his 10-race career.

"Last time we probably backed him up a little too soon, so he needed this four-week break," said Fresu. "He's a little bit hot-headed, that's why he goes out (of the Parade Ring) early, but once you get him led out, he's fine."

The UAE Two Thousand Guineas will be on the minds of the Ahmad Bin Harmash team after their Mr Raj landed the Creek Views Maiden, over 1,400 meters on the dirt.

The Dubai Breeze-up Sale graduate was second on debut at Jebel Ali and was slightly slowly away here, but soon grabbed a handy rail position just behind the leaders. Once asked for his winning run by Ray Dawson, he soon showed his rivals a clean pair of heels, beating early leader Mr Precocious by five lengths.

"I love his attitude, he went through the kickback no problem," said Dawson. "He was responding to every question I asked him, the only worry was when he hit the front, at a big track like this, would he kick clear? He did, so there's a lot to look forward to."

Dawson and Bin Harmash later completed a double when Gareth took the closing Mina Handicap. Making his 10th start in the UAE, the ex-Godolphin gelding likes to get on with things but had a lead through the middle part of the race from True Accolade, meaning he had plenty left in reserve to hold off the late-charging Kanood, who got to within a length at the line.

"He's a funny horse. He always looks like he wants further, but when you step him up he doesn't seem to get the trip," said the winning rider. "I knew being well drawn today would be a big advantage. As long as he settles, he has the ability, but it's just getting him to settle.

"We've always liked him, he just needed things to go his way."

The first race on the card, the Park Avenue Maiden, over 1,400 meters on the turf, gave Scottish rider Rowan Scott his first UAE winner when he partnered Persian Empire to a frontrunning success. An AED25,000 purchase at the Racing In Dubai September Sale, the 5-year-old, making his third start, gave trainer Hamad Al Marar his first Meydan winner but a sixth since taking out a license at the start of the season.

Meydan resumes Carnival action Jan. 13 with the Al Rashidiya (G2T), an early prep for the Dubai Turf (G1T), as the feature race, along with the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial.