Series stars shine in Meydan floodlights

Shuruq winning the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented By Longines on the opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival in Meydan. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

QIPCO British Champions Series icons dominated the winners’ enclosure on the opening day of the Dubai World Cup Carnival in Meydan.

Five of the six races on the night were won by British-based or British Champion Series race-winning trainers, with three of those victories belonging to Godolphin’s handlers.

Charlie Appleby registered a double with jockey Mickael Barzalona, as Ahtoug and Fullbright were victorious in the Longines Master Collection Handicap and Longines Dolce Vita respectively.

Fellow Godolphin trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, was also triumphant when Shuruq was successful in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented By Longines.

The four-year-old defeated the Kieren Fallon-ridden Empire Storm by three quarters of a length to claim the Group 2 contest.

Mike De Kock, successful with Soft Falling Rain in the Group 2 Nayef Joel Stakes in the QIPCO British Champion Series last year, sent out Mushreq to win comfortably by one and a quarter lengths under British rider and two-time Champion Flat Jockey, Paul Hanagan, in the Listed Singspiel Stakes.

David Livingston, also trained by the South African, was a hugely disappointing performer in the same race, who finished last. The five-year-old won the Group 3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock last year.

Racing from the Dubai World Cup Carnival continues next Thursday.