Sole Power enjoys Meydan glory at fifth time of asking in Al Quoz Sprint

Peter Ward 02:51 29/03/2015
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  • Sole Power led from 100m from home to win comfortably.

    Having his ninth start in the UAE, Sole Power finally opened his account here with a smooth victory in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint over the straight 1,000m turf track. In doing so, he provided his trainer, Ireland’s Ed Lynam, with his maiden Carnival and UAW success with his 24th runner.

    Given a very confident ride by UK Champion Jockey Richard Hughes, who retires at the end of the season to take up training, Sole Power led about 100m from home and won comfortably.

    Now an eight-year-old, he was running in the race for a fifth time with his best previous effort a second place in the 2012 renewal. He has also been second twice in the Super Saturday prep race, the Meydan Sprint.

    It was the horse’s fifth Group One victory and he will surely be back at Royal Ascot in June to try and win a third consecutive King’s Stand Stakes, also a 1,000m Group One dash.

    Lynam said: “This horse really deserved to finally win one here in Dubai after some excellent efforts in defeat. “Richard Hughes is the perfect jockey for him as you have to ride him for luck, something Richard does as well as anybody.”

    Not quite so comfortable was the victory of Secret Circle in the other Group One sprint, the Golden Shaheen over 1.200m on the dirt. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Victor Espinoza, he looked to have the race under control when leading 300m out but had to dig deep when Hong Kong challenger Super Jockey ran on late but could never quite get to the front.

    The USA have now won this particular race on no less than 10 occasions and Secret Circle, winning for the first time since landing the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2013. Espinoza said:

    The horse has been pleasing connections all week and has really enjoyed the new surface. “When he quickened to the front I was always pretty confident the race was ours and when the other horse tried to challenge, he pulled out more.

    “The credit has to go to the trainer and his team who have produced him here tonight in top form and it has been a big effort.”

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