Zakouski and Dream Castle fill G2 Singspiel Stakes places

Course specialists Zakouski and Dream Castle produced further good efforts at Meydan, UAE, when chasing home Lord Glitters in the nine-furlong G2 Singspiel Stakes on week one of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Thursday, 21 January.

The duo, with five Carnival victories between them including four at Group level, were restrained towards the rear of the field as Mythical Magic (Richard Mullen) stretched on into an uncontested lead.

Art Du Val (James Doyle) took up the running as Mythical Magic faded in the straight, with Zakouski (William Buick) and Dream Castle (Pat Cosgrave) quickening well down the centre of the course.

Lord Glitters flew home from the rear, collaring Art Du Val entering the final furlong before going away to score by three lengths. Zakouski took second in the closing stages to come home a length and a half ahead of Dream Castle, who edged out Art Du Val for third in the dying strides.

Military March (Frankie Dettori), making his first appearance since finishing fourth in the G1 2,000 Guineas, faded to eighth after racing freely on his comeback from injury.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were pleased with the performance of Zakouski. The winner is a very good horse on his day and William Buick felt afterwards that Zakouski should come on for the run. The most logical route now looks to be the G2 Al Rashidiya over this distance in three weeks’ time.”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dream Castle ran a big race and it looked as though he could step back up to a mile and a quarter at some point.

“Military March is a big horse. He always works well in the mornings but it is not the same as racing and he will improve a lot for the run. We will keep the options open but his next start could be on dirt in Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Thursday, 11 February), although he will need the race again.”