YESTERDAYS RACING CTION THE AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI MIDDLETON STAKES (GROUP 2)
THE AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI DANTE STAKES (GROUP 2)
Favourites have had a remarkably good record in the race, so it was a surprise for many as Lilac Road carved her way through the pack to collar long time leader Aristia.
Desert Crown ran out an emphatic winner of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante. You couldn’t help but be impressed by the manner in which he won and Sir Michael Stoute could have another superstar on his hands.
Sean Levey broke well from the stalls and found himself with an easy lead aboard the Hannon trained filly. She had been a buzzy juvenile but has clearly settled over the summer and it allowed Sean to set steady fractions. Thunder Kiss was sent off the favourite for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane and the striking grey sat in midfield along with the first of the Michael Stoute runners, Ville De Grace. All of them turned into the straight with a chance but one by one the jockeys settled into the drive position to try and get their mounts to challenge the long-time leader. For a long way down the straight it looked as though Ger Lyons was going to claim the prize with the daughter of Night Of Thunder however she failed to find that extra gear. One horse that didn’t lack that killer turn of foot was Lilac Road, the four-year-old was galvanised by Tom Marquand to weave her way through the field in quite taking style. The step up in trip from her previous run clearly benefited her and she looked as though she may get even further in time. After the race Marquand said: “She’s learning still but if she continues on this path, she’s clearly a filly with a lot of talent.”
RESULT 1st 2nd 3rd 12
Lilac Road Artista Thunder Kiss
15/2 20/1 15/8F
There was a lot of talk before the race about Desert Crown and there was already a tremendous amount of pressure on the son of Nathaniel. However, if there was any pressure, he and Richard Kingscote certainly didn’t feel it and despite being a tad green, he could be something special. White Wolf took a keen hold and took them along at a good pace. Market principle El Bodegon was prominent for much of the race but like a few of those up with the early gallop, felt the early exertions at the business end. Royal Patronage had been well fancied throughout the course of the day and went off joint favourite with Desert Crown. He too was very keen in the early stages and got a little warm before the race, so his effort can be marked up. He and Desert Crown began to pull clear of the field coming into the final two furlongs and it will be fascinating if they reoppose in the Cazoo Epsom Derby. Aiden O’Brien has been having a fine time of things in the various trials for the Cazoo Epsom Derby however his runner Bluegrass couldn’t find that extra gear to go with Royal Patronage and Desert Crown, he may appreciate further in time and could go follow the 2021 winner Hurrican Lane, with a tilt at the Cazoo St Leger. Desert Crown could clearly be a very special horse and we can’t wait to see where he goes next.
RESULT 1st 2nd 3rd
Desert Crown Royal Patronage Bluegrass
7/2JF 7/2JF 7/1
