Dubai: French-trained raider L’Amour De Ma Vie took the featured Group 2 Balanchine Stakes to highlight Europe’s dominance of Thursday’s Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting at Meydan Racecourse.
Trained by Pia Brandt, the filly had finished second on her local debut behind Certify in the Group 2 Cape Verdi Stakes three weeks ago, but, with that rival disappointing, she opened her UAE account in style.
It was also a first local winner for her jockey, Maxime Guyon, who took her to the head of affairs 400 metres out, with the pair soon opening up what turned out to be an unassailable lead.
Guyon said: “I am so pleased to ride my first Dubai winner in such a big race and she really deserved that win after a brave effort in defeat last time. She quickened well and ran all the way to the line.
“I think she is improving.”
The only winner not representing a trainer from Europe was Tasaday, winner of the inaugural running of the Listed Dubai Millennium Stakes over 2,000m on turf. This went to Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour and his stable jockey Silvestre De Sousa.
As was the case in several races, the winner was never far off a steady gallop before quickening clear early in the straight.
De Sousa said: “She is a very nice filly who ran well enough first time, three weeks ago, and certainly improved for the run.
“She has a touch of class and a nice turn of foot — both have proved crucial and it is great to win a race named after a true Godolphin legend.”
Racing opened with a 1,400m turf handicap, which went to Ireland courtesy of Eastern Rules, recording a second 2014 Dubai World Cup victory for trainer Mick Halford and jockey Shane Foley.
A winner over 1,400m on the all-weather two weeks ago, Foley’s mount picked up well from the rear to lead 200m from home and won nicely.
Foley said: “That is the fourth week running we have had a winner and it has been a great run. He won well last time but this was a better race and he is probably better on the turf. Hopefully we can continue in this kind of form.”
Norway were next, landing the 1,600m all-weather handicap, with Avon Pearl a first UAE winner at the fifth attempt for trainer Rune Haugen.
International domination of the card continued with the hard-fought victory of the UK raider Medicean Man, trained by Jeremy Gask, in the 1,000m turf handicap. A course and distance winner at last year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival, he was again ridden by Harry Bentley.
Ireland were back in the winner’s enclosure when Elleval, runner-up in last year’s UAE Derby, won the 2,000m all-weather handicap, ridden by Fergal Lynch for trainer David Marnane. It was the pair’s third win of this year’s Carnival.
