DUBAI FEB 23 - UAE OAKS GLORY FOR GODOLPHIN

By Dubai Racing Club | Thursday, February 23, 2012

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and his brother His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum were both present at Meydan yesterday evening for the UAE Oaks meeting kindly sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group.

The featured UAE Oaks, a 1900m all-weather contest for three-year-old fillies, was won by Godolphin's Falls Of Lora under Mickael Barzalona who was sporting the second silks with Frankie Dettori having elected to ride stable companion Pimpernel.

The winner, a daughter of 2002 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry, was the only runner able to catch long-time leader Mary Fildes who was at least 12 lengths clear with about 600m to run.

It was her first start in the UAE and on the all-weather surface and winning trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni said: "We knew she would stay the trip whereas as perhaps it was a slight doubt with Pimpernel who was then keen early on.

“I must admit I thought the leader had stolen the race at one stage but Mickael chased her at the right time.

“The UAE Derby is a possible but Kinglet is probably our number one for that at the moment. The option is there for her though."

The trainer was completing a double after Capponi had earlier won his second 1900m all-weather handicap of the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival, the Swaidan Trading Company – Goodyear, with a decisive victory under Frankie Dettori who kicked his mount for home over 400m out and the pair never looked likely to be caught.

Dettori said: "We did not go quick enough when we were beaten first time and we only just went fast enough when he won last time so I was happy to send him for home a long way out. Stamina was never going to be a problem and he did it well. That is a good start to the night."

The trainer later made it three with the smooth success of City Style in the concluding 1900m Al Naboodah Construction Group on turf. Barzalona was in the saddle to complete his own double with the horse also winning for the second time at the 2012 Carnival.

Jamr was going one better than the Al Zarooni pair when registering his third 2012 Carnival victory in the Swaidan Trading Company – Peugeot, a 2200m handicap with Pat Cosgrave in the saddle for Mubarak bin Shafya.

Cosgrave said: "This horse has been a revelation this year and to win three Carnival races with him is a great achievement for everybody in the yard."

The other two races both went to Europe with Dettori, another jockey in double form, completing his brace on the Brian Meehan-trained Burano in the Listed Meydan Classic over 1600m on turf.

A race restricted to three-year-olds, it produced a thrilling finish but Dettori was able to drive his mount ahead when it mattered. Dettori said: "I was short of room when I first needed it but luckily the gaps appeared and he ran on strongly."

The horse is entered in Satuday's ERA Horse in Training Sale and Meehan added: "He is improving all the time and that is his first win so we will have to think about whether he goes through the ring on Saturday. Frankie gave him a great ride as I was worried there was no room 400m out."

David Marnane trains Nocturnal Affair who won the 1000m Al Naboodah Construction Group on the turf under Ryan Moore and the trainer said: "He ran very well first time but not so well on his second start. I was hoping for a better run again and he did it nicely so hopefully we will be back on Super Saturday."

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