Two more Carnival winners for Godolphin

Really Special maintained her unbeaten record with a decisive victory in the seven-furlong UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Sponsored By District One Villas at Meydan on the evening of Thursday, January 19 and set up a tilt at the first Classic of the UAE season. 

Switching to dirt following two convincing wins on Polytrack and turf in the UK, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly raced in fifth of the 14 runners on the inside rail under Christophe Soumillon before moving up to track the two leaders turning for home. 

The three-year-old daughter of Shamardal stayed on well to grab the advantage from Rajar a furlong out and quickened well to beat Complimenti eased down by three and a quarter lengths in 1m 25.89s. 

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “That was really special! She is a nice filly, who did very well in Newmarket last season. 

“There was a question mark about Really Special handling the dirt tonight but she acted very well on the surface and I am sure that she will improve a lot. 

“We will take her now for the UAE 1000 Guineas (Listed, 1m, February 9) and then make a decision with H H Sheikh Mohammed about her next race. 

“Really Special is a strong filly and I hope that she can be something nice for the future. After she has raced in Dubai, we will be looking forward to the European season with her and some of the Classics there.”

The Charlie Appleby-trained Flash Fire finished runner-up in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort Sponsored By Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum – District One over seven furlongs on turf, the feature of this third Dubai World Cup Carnival card.

The five-year-old son of Shamardal, partnered by William Buick, was smartly away and raced in fourth of the eight-strong field towards the outside as Championship took them along.

He was asked to improve entering the straight and ran on in the final furlong to go second but was unable to get close to Championship, who made all to win by three and a half lengths in 1m 22.82s.

Charlie Appleby commented: “Flash Fire put up a career best performance to finish second in this G2.

“He found one too good tonight and we will step him back up in trip for the Zabeel Mile (G2, February 16).”

Charlie Appleby enjoyed having the first two home in the concluding 14-runner District One Mansions Handicap over 10 furlongs on turf, with Artigiano (William Buick), appearing at the Dubai World Cup Carnival for a fourth consecutive year, making all to beat Folkswood (Colm O’Donoghue).

Seven-year-old Artigiano was smartly away and continued at the head of affairs as the field entered the straight before facing a strong challenge from Folkswood entering the final furlong.

The son of Distorted Humor kept finding more and ran on well to score by a length and three quarters in 2m 2.27s, with a further four and three quarter lengths back to the third Brex Drago.

The trainer commented “Artigiano deserved to get his head back in front.

“We thought he would run well as he has pleased in his work at home. I think he appreciated getting back on the turf after we ran him on dirt in 2016 and 2015.

“Artigiano did it nicely and we will see how he is and what the handicapper does before deciding on his next race.

“I was pleased too with Folkswood who can hopefully come forward for this race and get an opportunity to win.”  

William Buick added: “If nobody else was going to, I was happy to make the running on Artigiano.

“The horse has been in good form at home and, although it has been a long time since he last won, the team have done a great job and Charlie has been very happy with him.

“Artigiano is tough and saw the trip out well today. He is a strong traveller and when he can dictate it from the front, he is dangerous.

“As a two-year-old and three-year-old he showed a lot of potential, but just lost his way a little bit. He has shown that the ability is still there.

“I chose to ride Artigiano. I had ridden both him and Folkswood at home and there wasn’t much between them. It was a hard choice to make, especially as the race was a handicap. I am glad I got it right and also glad that Folkswood ran well too.”