The evening’s official feature was the AED1million G2 Al Maktoum Mile [sponsored by Emaar] in which Imperial Emperor led home a one-two-three for trainer Bhupat Seemar.
The Deva Racing-owned gelding made it to the Dubai World Cup last season, finishing down the field, but is back to his best on this evidence. Ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, the five-year-old was in a handy position throughout the race and found plenty inside the final 200metres to beat stablemates Commissioner King and Mendelssohn Bay.
“He’s a class horse – he’s won a Group 2 very impressively and was a second in a Group 1,” said Seemar, who ran eight in the race. “I’m glad we came back to a mile as I don’t think we’ve tightened all the bolts yet and he’ll come on for that.”
On the gelding’s future he added: “he’s just as good at a mile and a quarter [2000 meters] so we’ll speak with the owners and come up with a plan.”
O’Shea added: “He’s a stronger horse this season and it’s great to see these older horses retaining their enthusiasm, which he has. I think we should go two turns [2000 meters] and work back from the big one [Dubai World Cup].”
3 US horses made their debut race at Meydan in this race:
DAVID OF ATHENS (Nyquist) , 9th last time out in the Pennsylvania Derby G1, the 3yo colt finished 4th in his debut for Wathnan Racing
TUMBARUMBA (Oscar Performance), 4th last time out in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar, finished 8th in his debut at Meydan
WEST SARATOGA (Exaggerator), the popular Kentucky Derby runner that was trained in US by the late Larry Demeritte, finished 10th in his debut at Meydan.
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