Racing at Meydan on Thursday, a fascinating six-race card and final meeting at the course this year, was highlighted by the Dubai Creek Mile, which was won in thrilling fashion by the Satish Seemar-trained Secret Ambition.
The Dubai Creek Mile looked a cracking and competitive renewal on paper and so it proved with all bar two of the seven runners threatening to seal victory at some stage.
Heavy Metal and Yulong Warrior set the pace early on and exiting the home turn strongly.
Rodaini loomed as a big danger, dashing inside the eventual winner, while well-fancied Kimbear looked for room in behind before ultimately tipping to the outside of the winner.
Heavy Metal, winner of this race in 2017, was the first to crack, leaving Yulong Warrior in front for 100 metres before he weakened and was passed by his winning stable companion.
Rodaini and Kimbear were both closing in the final 100 metres, the latter snatching second at the wire, but neither made a dent in the one-length advantage Secret Ambition had established.
Earning his second stakes win of the year after taking February’s Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, the son of Exceed and Excel registered a ninth career success and eighth since joining Zabeel Stables.
“Both horses had been working really hard at home. Whichever one he decided to ride, I was in the fortunate position of picking up a very nice ride,” said jockey Tadhg O’Shea.
“He jumped well, travelled well and he had a good sit in the race. One thing this horse does is he is tough, he is genuine and he loves a fight – and he carried a penalty today. He does enough and he gets there. I’m delighted to pick up a spare ride and it’s great for Zabeel.”
Seemar added: “Secret Ambition is a very strong-minded horse. He’s not an easy horse to train at home because of his character. When he has his day, that’s his day. Today he broke the mould because the track was all speed, so it’s nice to see him come back and it sets him up for the (Dubai World Cup) Carnival perfectly.”
