Dubai: Jockey William Buick has attributed Alo Pura's record-breaking victory at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday night to the strong pace set by his rivals on the track's all-weather surface.
The daughter of Anabaa has a nice turn of foot and when placed in a good striking position by Buick she delivered a strong grinding run at the two furlong pole to blast past pace-setter Firestrak and second favourite Force Freeze for a tight quarter length victory.
The manner in which she defeated a top class field spoke volumes for her resilience and prompted Buick to comment: "I have always told Dhruba [Selvaratnam] that she is a much better horse in good races like these as she is easier to settle and ride tactically.
"I did not want to hit the front too early and was able to time my challenge as I hoped."
Alo Pura's time of one minute and 10.43 seconds for 1,200 metres on the all-weather surface bettered the record set by War Artist when he won the Group 3 Al Shindagah Sprint under French jockey Oliver Peslier in February this year.
Alo Pura was one of only two favourites that obliged in a six-race card that featured several upsets.
Green Beret, trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe, was the only other popular choice to fly the favourites flag when winning the Ford Taurus Trophy over 1200 metres. Winning jockey Royston Ffrench said: "We went a good clip out there and he has kept on nicely. He had missed the break a couple of times but was much better today."
One of the biggest shocks of the night was delivered by the Rashid Bouresly-trained Comradeship who was notching his first success in the UAE. Formerly raced by John Gosden the Dubawi colt's last won on the all-weather at Southwell, England in November 2009.
