Charlie Appleby had only three runners on the tenth evening of the Dubai Racing Carnival but that didn’t stop the training maestro from grabbing the featured Dubai Trophy [presented by DP World]with Great Truth (pictured).
There was a good battle for the 1200metre three-year-old turf contest but William Buick timed it just right, straightening up his mount in time to deny the filly Frost At Dawn by a head.
“He probably needed that run slightly,” said Buick of Great Truth’s fourth on his previous start. “This was a similar sort of race but he’s probably more of a seven-furlong horse than a six-furlong horse.
“He goes through the early part of the race fine but you can see others have a bit more toe than him. Nevertheless, he has a great attitude.”
Buick and Appleby doubled up in the main supporting race, the 2410metre Vazirabad Handicap [Presented by DP World]. Ruling Dynasty was found to be lame after a disappointing run in the DRC Classic last time but bounced back here, reeling in stablemate Al Nafir inside the final 100metres and winning, going away, by two and three-quarter lengths.
“Charlie put blinkers on him just to help him focus and it worked,” said Buick. “When Al Nafir went clear down the back I didn’t think he would stop but we picked him up well in the end.
“He [Ruling Dynasty] is a decent handicapper. Let’s see if he can take any of this form back to the UK.”
