G2 Balanchine victory for Promising Run

Promising Run emulated top mares Sajjhaa and Very Special as she followed up victory in the G2 Cape Verdi with success in the G2 Balanchine over nine furlongs on turf at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, 17 February.

The five-year-old daughter of Hard Spun, an easy winner of the mile G2 Cape Verdi for trainer Saeed bin Suroor on 25 January, broke well under Pat Cosgrave and soon raced freely as a close second of the seven-strong field just behind Tiaemah.

Promising Run moved up to hit the front on the bridle entering the straight, but had to battle as Opal Tiara threatened to lay down a strong challenge over a furlong from home.

Furia Cruzada ran on to also threaten in the closing stages, with Promising Run running on and gamely gaining the glory a short-head in 1m 49.79s. Opal Tiara, winner of the 2017 Balanchine took third, a further two and a half lengths in arrears.

Saeed bin Suroor, welcoming his 13th Dubai World Cup Carnival winner of 2018, commented: “Promising Run never shows a lot in the mornings, but, when I saddled her tonight, she was a little fresh.

“She was a bit keen in the race, but Pat Cosgrave knows her very well and looked after her – he kept her handy, which suited her. She has a good turn of foot and finished her race well.

“We will have a look at the Jebel Hatta (G1, 9f, turf Meydan) on Super Saturday (10 March) and then hopefully take her to the Dubai Turf (G1, 9f, turf, Meydan) on Dubai World Cup Night (31 March).”

Pat Cosgrave added: “It was a bit of a messy race. I wanted to get a lead, but Tiaemah didn’t take me far enough and I was left in front for too long.

“To be fair, they all came at her and she fought them off one by one and stuck it out well in the end.

“She was also carrying a penalty tonight and they usually get a horse beat, but she got the job done.”