Naval Crown lowers course record in G2 Al Fahidi Fort

Naval Crown posted another significant turf victory at Meydan, UAE, as he broke the seven-furlong course record in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort on week two of the Dubai World Cup Carnival on Friday, 21 January.

The Dubawi homebred had beaten subsequent 2,000 Guineas runner-up Master Of The Seas in the Listed Meydan Classic last year before going on to enjoy a productive European campaign, including chasing home Creative Force in the G3 Jersey Stakes.

In a rough race, Naval Crown found himself short of room early on before settling in fourth on the inside rail after a furlong and a half. William Buick had to wait to switch Naval Crown turning for home but the Charlie Appleby-trained colt accelerated strongly after being angled out passing the two-furlong marker.

Naval Crown hit the front approaching the final furlong and fended off a sea of challengers in the closing stages, holding on well for a length verdict over Story Of Light.

His winning time of 1m 22.02s was nearly a third of a second quicker than the mark set by D’bai at the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Charlie Appleby said: “There was a bit of jostling early on but William got Naval Crown into a nice position. He was one of the class horses in the race and one of the younger ones as well, so he had some fresher legs. We purposely put him away after the mid-season in Europe and he has got the job done nicely.

“I see him as a proper seven-furlong horse. He has a lot of natural pace and will sharpen up a bit for tonight’s run. We have him in the 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia and there is the new Ras Al Khor on Super Saturday here, so he has a couple of options.

“He is making up into a nice four-year-old and I think he has a good few years being competitive at this sort of trip.”

William Buick said: “We had to hold our position early on and were getting pressure the whole way through the race, but Naval Crown is a brave little horse, who travels great.

“He was the best horse in the race on form and was in good shape coming into it, so it was a good opportunity. He is a beautiful-looking horse, who is very strong, and deserves to win a big one.”