Don’t Give Up lives up to name on dirt debut

Don’t Give Up stayed on strongly for a clear-cut success on his first appearance on dirt in the opening 10-furlong handicap at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 25 January.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dubawi colt, successful on Polytrack and turf as a three-year-old in the UK last year, broke smartly for Gerald Mosse and soon raced a close second of the eight runners on the outside of the leader Active Spirit.

Four-year-old Don’t Give Up travelled strongly turning for home and readily opened up a definite advantage after taking the lead at the top of the straight, running on well to prevail by a length and three quarters over Saltarin Dubai in 2m 5.55s.

Godolphin’s other runner, Alabaster (Saeed bin Suroor/Oisin Murphy), rallied after missing the break to come home a never nearer third, four and a half lengths behind Don’t Give Up.

Gerald Mosse commented: “Don’t Give Up carried his name well – he is a lovely horse.

“It was his first run in Dubai, my first ride on him and his first start on dirt, so there were quite a few things for him to learn, but he did it perfectly.

“He jumped very well and was travelling nice and easily all of the way. He started to relax down the back which was lovely because I didn’t want him to do too much early on.

“When I started to make him ready to take up the running in the turn, he gave me a really nice feeling.

“The trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, told me to try and not get too much kick-back and that happened because Don’t Give Up jumped well and got a good position in the race.”

Saeed bin Suroor remarked: “We gave Don’t Give Up a break after he ran in England, as we thought he was a horse who could do something for us in Dubai.

 “He improved for the break and won really well tonight.”