Symbol Of Honour stars among trio of Meydan winners

Symbol Of Honour maintained his unbeaten start to 2025 with a straightforward victory in the Dubai Trophy on Friday, 7 February, on a Meydan card that also saw wins for Arabian Light and Royal Power.

Bidding to follow up a game success in the Al Wasl Stakes, Symbol Of Honour broke half a stride slow and soon settled behind the leaders in fifth.

William Buick angled out with two furlongs to race and the Charlie Appleby-trained sprinter quickened to collar Dark Saffron entering the final furlong, despite shifting towards the centre of the course.

Symbol Of Honour powered away from the field in the closing strides, hitting the line a length and three-quarters clear in the six-furlong contest for three-year-olds.

William Buick said: “The form of Symbol Of Honour’s win in the Al Wasl Stakes has worked out well and I was delighted with him tonight. He is a real pro, who goes out there and does what he has to do.

“I think he will stay seven furlongs. He nearly won over seven last season, so I am confident he will get the trip this year. He is very versatile and turning into a good professional.”

Lord North Handicap third Arabian Light went two places better as he overcame a tardy start to comfortably take the Lord Glitters Handicap.

Slowly into his stride under William Buick, the Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old soon recovered to dispute fourth down the inside rail as stable-mate Kalidasa made the running in the 15-strong field.

Arabian Light stayed on after finding a seam early in the straight, reeling in Kalidasa a furlong and a half from home before forging clear. Sean made late gains, but Arabian Light knuckled down close home to prevail by a half-length.

William Buick said: “Arabian Light was a bit slowly away again, but I managed to get in the slipstream of the leaders and he had a nice run round.

“He was getting a bit lonely in front late on. There is plenty to look at here and he is still a young horse. It is just nice to get another win into him, having been relatively unlucky the last day.”

Royal Power had also finished third on his Meydan debut in December and the four-year-old finished best of all to pip El Cordobes in the closing Vazirabad Handicap.

Endless Victory led for much of the 12-furlong turf contest, with El Cordobes covered up in midfield, just ahead of Royal Power.

El Cordobes struck the front two furlongs out and kicked into a clear lead, only for Royal Power to swoop wide under Mickael Barzalona and get up close home. A head separated the Charlie Appleby-trained duo at the line, with nearly four lengths back to Intricacy in third.

Mickael Barzalona said: “William [Buick] told me beforehand that Royal Power should have improved since his last run. I was able to get an OK spot, and he fought hard to the winning post after I gave him a clear run.”