Saeed bin Suroor, Godolphin’s longest-serving trainer, tries to further enhance his superb record in the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 1 March, with impressive UAE 1,000 Guineas scorer Winter Lightning. 

He has won 10 of the 17 runnings of the extended nine-furlong Classic on dirt, with Imperial Gesture (2002) and Cocoa Beach (2008), who both graduated to G1 honours in the United States, featuring among the roll of honour. 

Khawlah became the first filly to win the G2 UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night following her 2011 UAE Oaks success, while Ihtimal went on to finish third on turf in the British Classic, the G1 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, UK, after victory in 2014. 

Three-year-old Shamardal filly Winter Lightning is unbeaten in two dirt appearances at Meydan so far during this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival, having followed a nose victory in the seven-furlong UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial in January with an easy two-length verdict in the mile Classic itself on 8 February. 

All five of her rivals in the UAE Oaks finished behind Winter Lightning (ridden by Pat Cosgrave) in the UAE 1,000 Guineas, including the second and third – Rayya and Expressiy (Charlie Appleby/William Buick). 

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “We have been very happy with Winter Lightning since she arrived in Dubai. 

“She has thrived in this environment.

“Winter Lightning won the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas in comfortable style and we hope, for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the team, that she can show the same ability in the G3 UAE Oaks on Thursday.

“This is a race that we have a great record in, which we hope to continue.”