Local Time Stamps Class On UAE Oaks

Local Time completed a Classic double on the dirt of Meydan, UAE, with a facile victory in the UAE Oaks Sponsored By Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah on Thursday, February 26.

The three-year-old filly, stepping up to nine and a half furlongs following an impressive win over a mile in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas on February 5, broke well under James Doyle and settled in second as Shahrasal led the five runners at a sedate pace.

Local Time, representing Saeed bin Suroor, took closer order with five furlongs left and cruised up to join Shahrasal three and a half furlongs from home.

She kicked clear entering the straight and soon opened up daylight over her rivals before being eased before the line to score by four and three quarter lengths from Shahrasal in 2m 00.9s.

Saeed bin Suroor said: "Local Time won well and is now unbeaten in her last six starts. She has shown that she is extremely tough and I am very happy with the way she finished her race tonight.

"She is a very good filly and we will keep the options open regarding whether to go for the UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup Night (March 28) or the English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket (May 3). We will see but we have no plans for her at the moment."

James Doyle commented: "I was delighted with the way things unfolded. Local Time is very uncomplicated and has got a good turn of foot, so I wasn't fazed by the slow gallop at all.

"It's her attitude that makes her so good and you can't fault the way she did it. We went very steady and it was a dash in the straight but she is a cut above the rest of the field and hopefully she can progress.

"It wasn't a true test of stamina, so we didn't learn a lot from that point of view but she has got a bit of stamina on her dam's side, even though she is by Invincible Spirit.

"She is probably contesting weaker races out here than she did at home. She won her Group Three at Newmarket nicely, when she toughed it out well, and has taken each step within her grasp.

"The UAE Derby has been mentioned and I think her attitude says a lot about her. She is very straightforward and her ability to handle dirt is a big plus."

Local Time is Godolphin's 11th winner of the UAE Oaks following Laoub (2001), Imperial Gesture (2002), Danuta (2003), Satin Kiss (2005), Cocoa Beach (2008), Devotee (2009), Khawlah (2011), Falls Of Lora (2012), Shuruq (2013) and Ihtimal (2014).