Secret Advisor lands NAS Trophy glory in DWC Carnival meeting

Godolphin’s Secret Advisor, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by jockey William Buick, sprinted to victory in the Group 3 $300,000 Nad Al Sheba Trophy in a Dubai World Cup (DWC) Carnival meet at Meydan on Thursday.

Buick said:  “I am very pleased with the performance. We got a breather down the back, but I knew the leader was going to fall away.

“He travels well and stays really well. It’s nice to get him back (into form) and all credit to the team. It’s a real testament to everyone. A lot of care for the horse. A great team performance and very rewarding for everyone. I’m not sure what his future plans are, but he could be a horse who could do well in the summer, as well.”

Appleby said: “We were very pleased with his first start here. Before, when he was a 3-year-old, he won the Melrose and that’s a good race to produce staying horses for the future.

“Unfortunately, he’s been challenging for everybody and full credit to the team at this stage of his career. (Jockey) William (Buick) was delighted with that. He’s travelled ’round and was the class in the race, really. He’s picked up and he’s stayed—he’s ticked all the boxes. Whether we get a shot to run him on (Dubai) World Cup night, we’ll see on racing, as he’s still got a bit to find.

If he doesn’t get the opportunity to run World Cup night, then I’m sure we’ll look down the staying route back in Europe and regroup here next winter.”

Second place went to Dubai Future, which was ridden by Harry Bentley.

“I’m really happy with him and he obviously stays this mile-six no problem at all. I was very happy with the pitch I got throughout the race and he travelled nicely.

“As soon as we just quickened up around the bend, he picked up well for me. He’s a horse who keeps finding and finding, rather than quickening up quickly.

“He’s still relatively lightly raced and there’s still more to come from him. He probably could get two miles if the right race came up. The eventual winner just pulled out that little extra at the end,” said Bentley.

Kevin Stott, Jockey of Dubai Horizon said: “He runs consistently every week, to be fair, and runs quite a lot. They never drop him enough to go down in grade, which is not ideal. He ran well, so I can’t fault him at all.”

Meanwhile, The second leg of the Al Ain Marathon Series, a 4100m handicap, is the official highlight at Al Ain on Friday with 10 declared, including last year’s winner Jeemi, who is trained by Eric Lemartinel for the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

A 7-year-old gelding, he has not won since, but as was the case 12 months ago, has the assistance of Tadhg O’Shea. Yard rider Fabrice Veron appears to prefer the claims of stable companion Arjan.

A 5-year-old mare, she has won once, from just seven starts, but not on dirt, after five attempts and she is trying this kind of staying test for the first time.

Veron said: “Obviously we know conditions suit Jeemi, but we are hoping the step up in trip will be in Arjan’s favour also.”

The 3200m first round of the series this year, a month ago, was won by Sufyan, who clung on grimly for Antonio Fresu riding for Al Wathba Racing and Ana Mendez.

It was a gutsy effort from the 5-year-old, but he meets runner-up Hareer Al Reef on much worse terms. One of four in the field to be saddled by Abdallah Al Hammadi for Al Ajban Stables, Hareer Al Reef was third in this last year before chasing home stable companion Balad Al Reef in the final leg over the mammoth 5100m.

The latter, fourth in the first round last month on his seasonal return, has subsequently had a 2200m outing on the Abu Dhabi turf a fortnight ago, so should be cherry ripe for this assignment.