HE was once known as the ‘Russian Frankel’ and Tuz showed why with a stunning success in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes at Meydan last week, an early prep for the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

The lightly raced seven-year-old was beaten by Eastern World at Sharjah on his reappearance but took no prisoners here, beating that rival and 11 others in blistering fashion.

Drawn in 13, the Bhupat Seemar-trained gelding blasted out of the stalls and barely saw another rival, charging further clear in the straight and beating stablemate Leading Spirit by eight and a half lengths.

“When he’s good, he’s very good,” said winning rider Tadhg O’Shea. “He carried a penalty at Sharjah and he’s a big horse, so he needed the run. He had a bad habit before of not changing his lead but he’s over all that now. The best thing about him is that he has so much early speed.

“He’ll give his roommate [Group 1 winner] Switzerland something to think about in the coming weeks!”

Overcoming wide draws became something of a theme as Pat Dobbs did the same when guiding Doug Watson’s San Donato to success in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile on the turf.

Also breaking from 13 but on the turf, he had to suffer at the back early on but found a gap along the rail once Marbaan had gone for home. From there, Dobbs had plenty of horse left and easily passed that rival and wide challenging El Patriota, who finished third.

“When he’s on song he’s very good and carries you into the race well,” said Dobbs. “I knew he was on form today because he went to post all fired up.

“I was following a horse I didn’t want to and had to pray for the gaps, but they opened and he went through them very well.”

BRITISH trainer George Boughey enjoyed a fruitful 2023 Carnival thanks to Al Dasim. Walbank looks his latest sprinter to follow after his win in the Azizi Venice Handicap, over six furlongs on turf.

Racing on the far side of the track under William Buick, the four-year-old made light of a six-month absence and reeled in long-time leader Democracy Dilemma inside the final furlong, then holding off the battling Yonafis by a length and a quarter.

“It was actually Kia’s [Joorabchian, founder, Amo Racing, owners] plan to have a runner in Dubai and this horse fitted the bill,” said Boughey. “My team here have done a great job. He’s a horse who had an issue or two as he got fitter but they seem to have been ironed out now.

“He could go to the [Group 2] Blue Point Sprint or the listed race [Dubai Sprint] over six furlongs.”

Out of luck with Democracy Dilemma, owners Jim and Fitri Hay saw their silks in the winner’s enclosure 35 minutes later when Nevershow Weakness made it two for the season on the dirt.

A maiden winner over a mile in December, the Bhupat Seemar trainee was given a confident frontrunning ride by Tadhg O’Shea in the 10-furlong Azizi Reve Handicap and powered clear for a three and a half-length win over Lion’s Mane.

“It’s lovely to get these up-and-coming horses,” said O’Shea. “I told his owners that they’d see a different proposition when he goes up in trip and I actually think he’d get a mile a half.

“He’s been showing us all the signs at home, even before he ran.”

CHARLIE Appleby wasted no time in getting his 2024 started the right way and took the opening Zabeel Turf, over a mile, with Local Dynasty.

It was a smooth fourth career win for the son of Dubawi, who was ridden by William Buick to a three and a quarter-length victory over Ursa Minor.

“That was a good way to start,” said Buick after his first ride of the year. “It was about getting him not to do too much early on. If you look back through his form, he’s never really run a bad race.”

Appleby and Buick doubled up later on when Legend Of Time put up an impressive performance in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, over seven furlongs on turf.

The Sea The Stars colt was making just his third career start and had to do it the hard way from stall 14.

Buick always looked confident, however, and tracked across early on before asking for an effort turning for home. Legend Of Time won with plenty in hand, but credit must go to the second, Shamrock Glitter, who closed to a quarter-length of the winner despite trouble in running.

“I was very happy with him,” said Buick. “We did expect him to win but the pace wasn’t overly strong and he jumped well and had to cover ground. He’s a very progressive horse and will be better over a mile.”