Glorious JourneyThe fourth meeting of the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday evening was highlighted by the Group 2 $250,000 Al Fahidi Fort sponsored by DP World—UAE Region. The 1400m turf feature was dominated by trainer Charlie Appleby, who swept the top three with his trio of performers, providing a first winner in the UAE for owner HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing with Glorious Journey.
Partnered by James Doyle, completing a double and sporting the famous maroon and white silks formerly carried by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s runners, Glorious Journey was settled in fourth before closing on his stable companions Mubtasim and Mythical Magic, ridden by Brett Doyle and William Buick respectively, quickening to the front 200m out and always appearing to have their measure. Buick’s mount gave chase, but had to settle for second for the second consecutive year in the race. A $3.4 million yearling, the 5-year-old Dubawi gelding has now won five times, including Newbury’s 1400m Group 2 Hungerford Stakes, a success for which he was penalised here.
“It was a nice race,” Doyle said. “He’s a fun horse to have around. He cost a few quid, so it’s nice that he can repay the team. It’s a difficult decision between those three for William (Buick), because there isn’t much in it and you could see that at the line. He had the penalty and he’s a classy horse, as is Mythical Magic. He’s an exciting horse, who I’m sure will improve fitness-wise. Things are going well so far. I have five winners on the board, so there are some nice horses to look forward to. We’ll take it as it comes.”
“I’m delighted, as he’s is a good horse and seven furlongs is his trip,” Appleby said. “He was a bit disappointing in his last start, but he has rock-solid form. The plan now is to perhaps go to Saudi for a race just short of seven furlongs, which seems perfect for him. With Mythical Magic, we’ll probably do the same and go to the Zabeel Mile with him and Mubtasim is undecided. We’ll just have to see how he comes out. There’s a race during the Craven meeting for him and possibly at the Carnival beforehand. They’re all three Group 2/Group 3 horses and showed that they’re that calibre today.”
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