THE $250,000 Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort was the seven-furlong turf feature at the fourth meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival on Thursday. It was dominated by trainer Charlie Appleby who swept the board with his trio of performers, and provided a first winner in the UAE for owner HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing with Glorious Journey.

Partnered by James Doyle who was completing a double and sporting the famous maroon and white silks formerly carried by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s runners, Glorious Journey quickened to the front a furlong out and always appeared to have the measure of his stablemates.

A 2,600,000gns yearling buy, the five-year-old Dubawi gelding has now won five times, including the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes. He was bred by Normandie Stud and sold at Tattersalls through Norris Bloodstock.

Doyle said: “He’s a fun horse to have around. He cost a few quid, so it’s nice that he can repay the team. Things are going well so far. I have five winners on the board.”

“I’m delighted, as he’s is a good horse and seven furlongs is his trip,” Appleby said. “The plan now is to perhaps go to Saudi for a race just short of seven furlongs, which seems perfect for him.”

First classic

The $250,000 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas was the first classic of the season and went to Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor, but not with the favoured Final Song. It was won by the Night Of Thunder filly Dubai Love, a 120,000gns foal buy and the mount of Pat Cosgrave. She won at two in England and this was just her fourth start. Final Song finished third.

“Final Song is classy and ran well, but not stayed,” bin Suroor said. “Whereas Dubai Love, who ran well behind her in the Trial, has seen the trip out very well. The distance of the UAE Oaks should really suit her.”

The $100,000 Al Bastakiya Trial, a conditions race for three-year-olds, was contested over the same trip (nearly 10 furlongs) on dirt as the big Super Saturday race itself. It was won in facile fashion by Laser Show, trained by Saeed bin Suroor.

Settled in third by Kevin Stott, the New Approach colt swooped past a pair of stablemates at the top of the straight, immediately establishing a winning advantage.

This was a second career victory on just his fourth start for the Godolphin homebred, having landed a seven-furlong Sandown novice race.

Bin Suroor said: “The visor has made a difference. He stayed this trip well but we will probably have to try the mile again and go for the UAE 2000 Guineas.”

A five-furlong turf handicap, upgraded to listed status this year, the $175,000 Dubai Dash was turned into a procession by Equilateral, giving weight to all bar one of his seven rivals.

Homebred by Khalid Abdullah and a first UAE winner for trainer Charlie Hills, the five-year-old son of Equiano was gelded over the summer having shown decent form in good sprints in Europe, highlighted by a listed win at Doncaster last September.

Confidently ridden by James Doyle, the pair swept past at the furlong pole, after which the race was over as a contest. Hills said: “He has taken on a lot of the top sprinters in Europe and we think gelding him has really helped. He will probably come back here in four weeks and has options on Super Saturday, Dubai World Cup night and in Saudi Arabia, so we have plenty to consider.”

The evening began with a mile and a half turf handicap in which Harry Bentley-piloted the Dubawi four-year-old Dubai Future. The winner ran like a horse with a serious future for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor. Bentley was partnering his first UAE winner of the season.

The concluding 10-furlong handicap on dirt was won by the Satish Seemar-trained George Villiers, a five-year-old Dubawi half-brother to Viva Pataca. Tadhg O’Shea was in the saddle.