Naval Power steams home to take G2 Singspiel Stakes

Naval Power overcame a near 13-month absence as he unleashed an impressive turn of foot to win the G2 Singspiel Stakes at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 23 February.

The son of Teofilo twice scored at Listed level as a two-year-old, with his only defeat coming in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes, and was making his first start since capturing the Listed Jumeirah Classic in January, 2023.

Highland Avenue adopted his customary position in front and strode on into a three-length lead, with Naval Power held up towards the rear of the 14 runners following an awkward start.

Having increased his advantage to five lengths turning in, Highland Avenue came back to the field a furlong and a half from home as Naval Power started to make eye-catching headway down the centre of the course.

Naval Power continued to close on the leaders, although Mickael Barzalona almost had to check his run when Make Me King veered off a true line just inside the final furlong.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old hit the front with half a furlong to race and forged clear before being eased on the line to beat San Donato by two lengths in the nine-furlong contest.

Charlie Appleby said: “Naval Power’s preparation went well but you are always slightly concerned when they have been off the track for so long.

“He kept meeting with minor setbacks during his UK season, so we made the decision mid-summer to give him the time he needs before heading back out here. He is a good horse and has only been beaten once in his life – that was in the Dewhurst and he had an excuse that day.

“He is certainly an exciting horse still, given his record, and he has really thrived at home in recent weeks. His last bit of work made me think there is still an engine there.

“We came here with confidence he would run well, with expectations that there would be marked improvement. From what we have seen tonight, added with the likely improvement, I think we have a nice horse on our hands.

“He was not nominated for the Dubai Turf as we were not expecting him to win tonight, but he has probably put himself in the picture to be potentially supplemented.

“An international campaign would be on the cards. He seems to enjoy these sort of tracks, he is a gelding, and ticks all the boxes for a horse I like to send internationally, most likely in America.”

Mickael Barzalona added: “The race went pretty well for me. I found a good spot and, at the end, Naval Power showed plenty of quality to get to the line. It was a huge performance from Charlie and the team to get him back for a race like this.”