3 minute read
Balanchine sponsored by Skywards (Group 2) 1m1f, turf, 3yo+ James Doyle produced an excellent front-running ride aboard Very Special.
The filly followed up last month's comfortable course win with another clear-cut success.
Doyle controlled the early tempo and poached a decisive advantage on Very Special as they swung for home, kicking his filly into a clear lead which she never looked likely to relinquish.
Euro Charline, ridden by Ryan Moore, gave gallant chase and made some inroads on the approach to the final furlong, but could not get on terms with the 7-4 winner who prevailed by two and a half lengths.
Perfect return
James Doyle, who was making his return to race riding having been suffering from appendicitis, was quick to deflect praise onto the performance of Very Special and those involved with her preparation.
Doyle said: "You have to have the animal underneath you to win like that. Everyone at home has done a wonderful job with her and she was really relaxed."
He added: "It was a good performance and she was a better filly tonight - that run last month had taken some of the gas out of her. She has proved that she is a very nice horse."
Also at Meydan on Thursday
UAE Oaks sponsored by Emirates (Group 3) 1m1f110y, dirt, 3yo
EXCITING filly Polar River made it four wins from as many starts at Meydan, though she was not as visually impressive as she had been on her previous outings.
Polar River had won her first three races by a combined distance of more than 30 lengths and she was sent off as the 1-14 favourite against just two rivals on her first start beyond a mile.
Victory never looked in any doubt from the moment she swept into a clear lead under Pat Dobbs inside the final couple of furlongs, but she needed keeping up to her work in the closing stages of the contest to beat Vale Dori by a diminishing three-quarters of a length.
Dobbs was seemingly unconcerned by the filly's relatively weak finish and explained: "She idled inside the last furlong and I didn't want to get serious with her."
Trainer Doug Watson admitted to being slightly more concerned during the race and said: "That was close in the end! But she put the race to bed nicely and we didn't want a hard race."
