Al Quoz Sprint 25 recap

Seeing is Believing as Buick times it right aboard George Boughey trainee

$1,500,000 Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (Sponsored by Azizi Developments)

British-trained mare Believing arrived in the nick of time to claim the first Group 1 victory of her career in a blistering Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments.

During her career with George Boughey in Newmarket, the daughter of Mehmas has tested the patience of her team but has amassed an impressive collection of results including placed efforts at the highest level on all her three most recent starts in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, the Flying Five at the Curragh and on her most recent appearance in the Prix de l’Abbaye. 

In December, she was bought for just over $4million at Tattersalls and is now owned by a partnership between Coolmore and Resolute Racing.

For much of this event, it looked as if a smaller share of the prize-money might be the best she would manage again.

Japanese challenger Win Carnelian was dictating the pace under Kosei Miura and was in total control with 400m remaining, although Believing and fellow British challenger Regional were just starting to emerge as the only dangers.

William Buick, a master at Meydan with nine Dubai World Cup night wins in the bag already including with the mighty Blue Point in this race back in 2019, was starting to get Believing rolling and she poked her head up the inside in the final few strides to strike by 0.68 lengths and in a sharp time of 1:07.77. 

Win Carnelian hung on bravely for second, just ahead of Regional with the trio well clear of the remainder.