THE Group 3 $250,000 UAE 2000 Guineas, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, was the centrepiece of Thursday’s sixth meeting of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan. The mile classic on dirt was turned into a procession by Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby-trained Gold Town, who was part of a treble on the card for the owners.

There was only going to be one winner from about halfway, as jockey William Buick always looked supremely confident against his 14 opponents. Gold Town crossed the line more than 10 lengths clear, repeating a feat previously achieved by his sire Street Cry in 2001.

“Just like the trial over seven furlongs, he was again very impressive and gave me a great feel all the way round,” Buick said. “Once I could see on the big screen that we were clear, I was even able to give him a pat before the line. On his trial form, he looked head and shoulders above the rest coming into this race, so once he broke well enough, everything went smoothly. The UAE Derby is an extra 300 metres, but I do not see that being an issue and I assume that will be the plan.”

Five lined up for the 12-furlong turf handicap that was won impressively by Godolphin’s Best Solution, confidently and patiently ridden by Pat Cosgrave for Saeed bin Suroor. Third on the opening night of the Carnival, this four-year-old son of Kodiac was bred by Cecil and Martin McCracken. “We knew he had improved from that first run and were pretty confident coming here tonight,” Cosgrave said. “I won a Group 3 at Newbury on him in October and I imagine he will have to go back up in grade now after this win.”

Christophe Soumillon joined with bin Suroor and Godolphin, making all aboard Don’t Give Up (Dubawi) in the following 10-furlong dirt handicap. It was a carbon copy of the horse’s victory three weeks ago when ridden by Gérald Mossé. Afterwards Soumillon said: “He was still quite green out there and having a good look around, so he is only going to improve. He is a nice, progressive horse.”

Trainer Salem bin Ghadayer has plenty of options with High On Life (Invincible Spirit) after his hard fought success in the six-furlong turf handicap, with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. “My horse was always going comfortably and we have to be very pleased with that,” Barzalona said. “He has been working very well recently and surprised us at home, as he has seemed to improve a lot over the last few weeks.”

The longest race on the card, a two-mile turf handicap, produced the most exciting finish of the night with the first four separated by a mere length and Prince Of Arran (Shirocco) prevailing under James Doyle. The victory gave trainer Charlie Fellowes his first Carnival victory.

“We were pretty hopeful coming here after his good run first time, but there was always a worry if there would be enough pace early on in the race which this horse appreciates,” Doyle said. “They dawdled early on, but the pace did increase a fair way out, which made it a proper staying contest. I must admit, when I hit the front, I thought we would win quite easily, but it was very close in the end. It is a massive result on the world stage for a relatively small, but progressive young trainer and his team.”

The meeting concluded with a mile turf handicap that was won by Hors De Combat over a game Treasury Notes. Ridden confidently by Oisin Murphy, the son of Mount Nelson improved upon his third-place finish last out over the same trip in January for trainer Denis Coakley and owner Chris Van Hoorn Racing. “A fantastic training performance,” Murphy said. “To prepare one to compete on nights like this was fantastic and I’m glad we got the job done.”