Believing Rallies to Victory in Al Quoz Sprint

With upset-minded Win Carnelian  holding an open lengths advantage in deep stretch of the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) Al Quoz Sprint (G1T) April 5 at Meydan, only a special performance would deny the Japan-based runner.

Believing  unleashed that exceptional effort in the $1.5 million turf sprint.

Ireland's reigning highweight older filly or mare sprinter at five to seven furlongs, Believing stretched out a bit from her recent efforts and found Saturday' six-furlong turf test to her liking. Racing in the two path in deep stretch under William Buick, Believing split rivals and then rallied with Regional  to her outside before edging past that one and catching Win Carnelian a few strides before the wire.

Campaigned by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Resolute Racing, Believing completed the six furlongs in 1:07.77 on the good course; just off the course record of 1:07.50. She is trained by George Boughey.

Win Carnelian held second, just holding off Regional. United States-based Isivunguvungu , a South African-bred who started her career there before being moved to the United States, was pinched back midway through the race and finished 10th. Favored Howdeepisyourlove did not finish.

FanDuel TV reported the Howdeepisyourlove broke down during the race and was transported to a nearby equine hospital. His jockey, James McDonald, was not injured.

After the race Buick was fined AED 5,000 ($1,350) under Emirates Racing Association rules for hitting his mount in front of the saddle while holding the whip in the forehand. In assessing the penalty the stewards noted that this was Buick's first breach of this rule this season.

Dubai Future, at 9, Earns Dubai Gold Cup

After winning a prep race for the Dubai Gold Cup (G2T) in February, Godolphin's Dubai Future  secured the big prize April 5 at Meydan Racecourse when he rallied from the back half of the field to secure a two-length victory in the $1 million marathon.

A different Godolphin runner, Trawlerman , led throughout most of the race—setting a slow pace under William Buick as he looked to improve on last year's third-place finish in this 3,200-meter (about two-mile) test for 4-year-olds and older. Dubai Future raced comfortably in seventh under Silvestre De Sousa throughout the early going.

In the final turn, the field bunched up as the late runners launched their moves and then Trawlerman was asked for his best 700 meters from the finish. Trawlerman was in the thick of a three-horse stretch battle when Dubai Future found his best gear toward the center of the course rated as good and surged to the lead. He completed the race in 3:21.50.

At the age of 9, Dubai Future, a gelded son of Dubawi , lands the most lucrative victory of his career. Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, he won the about 1 3/4-mile Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3) Feb. 21 at Meydan and stayed in that top form for Saturday's race that kicked off nine group stakes for Thoroughbreds on the card topped by the Dubai World Cup (G1).

"He has improved this year, even though I know he's 9-years-old," said the winning trainer. "This year he came to Dubai a month ago and I know the way to train him. I told Silvestre to keep him behind and the key is to keep him relaxed. 

"He is a mile-and-a-quarter or mile-and-a-half horse but we tried him over a mile and six (furlongs) and now two miles and he's done well."

Racing for Wertheimer and Frere, Double Major  raced in second throughout the race and finished there while Akela Thoroughbreds' Epic Poet  claimed third. Trawlerman finished fifth.

This story will be updated with recaps of the other turf races on the Dubai World Cup card as well as additional detail.