I'm Back Strikes At Start Of The Dubai World Cup Carnival

Godolphin's I'm Back made a winning debut on dirt with a thrilling success in the Longines Prima Luna Handicap over an extended nine furlongs on dirt at Meydan, UAE on Thursday, January 8 - the first thoroughbred race of the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old, a three-time winner on turf and Polytrack in the UK, broke smartly from his wide draw of 10 under Dane O'Neill and soon raced handily in fourth towards the outside.

He moved up a place after the first half-mile and travelled strongly to go second of the 12 runners entering the straight.

I'm Back challenged Henry Clay and took the lead with over a half-furlong remaining before going away to score by a length in 1m 59.04s, with Le Bernardin two and a half lengths further back in third.

Dane O'Neill said: "I'm Back is game and very honest. He has stuck to his task well - the runner-up is a real battler and a proven dirt performer round here.

"I knew that I had it to do in the straight but I'm Back knuckled down and won well."

Saeed bin Suroor said that I'm Back had been training well at home.

"I'm Back seems to have adjusted to the climate out here and looked great. It was always a question of, if he handled the dirt, he would probably have a good shot."

The winner gave Saeed bin Suroor, champion trainer at the Dubai World Cup Carnival for the last seven years, his first success of 2015.