Native Approach proves up to the challenge at Meydan

Unexposed three-year-old Native Approach made an impressive first appearance at Meydan, UAE, as he flashed home from the rear to take the Listed Business Bay Challenge on Friday, 20 December.

The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Too Darn Hot was taking on seasoned opposition on the back of three UK starts, including finishing fifth on his previous outing in April’s G3 Craven Stakes.

After breaking half a stride slow, Native Approach was held up at the rear of the 11 runners for much of the seven-furlong contest and found himself last when William Buick switched wide a furlong and a half from home

Native Approach quickened powerfully down the outside of the field, collaring long-time leader Satu in the closing strides before seeing off G1 performers San Donato and Danyah for a cosy three-quarter length success.

William Buick said: “Credit to Native Approach. He was not the quickest away, and we were drawn a bit awkwardly to the outside. He can be a bit generous sometimes, but he relaxed for the first half of the race.

“I expected him to run very well, but we ran into a dead-end and had to come back to come out. You do not see them win very often when that happens. He picked up in an instant and was well on top at the line.

“He is still a young horse and this was only his fourth start. Hopefully, he still has more left. I think his optimum trip will be a mile.”

Charlie Appleby said: “We are delighted to get Native Approach back on track. We held him in high regard in the spring but felt he wasn’t going the right way mentally, so we gelded him and decided to wait until Dubai. He couldn’t have been any more impressive tonight.  We will look at the G2 Al Fahidi Fort and G3 Ras Al Khor before potentially heading back to Europe.”