DUBAI POET gets off the mark at the second time of asking and lands the spoils in the Newbury opener in impressive style under Andrea Atzeni. Following suit, SAMMARR defies a lengthy absence with a notable return to the track, storming home to claim the prize in the CloseBrothers Fillies’ Handicap, making it two wins from three starts.
Justifying favouritism in the hands of the in-form Andrea Atzeni, DUBAI POET started as he meant to go on, one of the best away into stride in division one of the Sir David Sieff EBF Novice Stakes. Staying in touch with the early leaders in the initial stages, Andrea asked for more over two furlongs out and Dubai Poet proceeded to move smoothly through to take up the running from Gaius and Breach. The field were fairly strung out in the closing stages, headed by Dubai Poet who stretched away emphatically, hitting the line five and half lengths ahead of the runner up Gaius from the Richard Hannon yard.
Congratulations to winning connections. After a promising debut over the same course and distance back in August, Dubai Poet came back to make his mark in style today. We look forward to seeing what this son of Lope De Vega can do if he continues on this upward trajectory.
Joining Dubai Poet on the winner’s podium, but on this occasion with a high octane tight photo finish, was the Golden Horn filly SAMMARR, who battled it out to the line to land the spoils at Newmarket under Cameron Noble.
The field travelled at a decent clip in the early stages, SAMMARR settled in mid field behind the front runner of Gal Wander part of the main pack that chose to run up the centre of the track. Early leader Widaad took up the running in an isolated fashion, the only contender to have selected a route along the nearside rail. Sammarr’s relentless run continued and he came through to take it up inside the two furlong marker. The race was far from over as Sammarr faced a strong challenge from Gal Wander and Widaad inside the final furlong. The line could not come quick enough but Sammarr managed to hold on to prevail by a head, to runner up Gal Wonder from the John and Thady Gosden yard, and the George Boughey trained Widaad in third.
Sammarr completed the double on the day for the team, many congratulations to winning owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum. The filly continues her upward trajectory and, with little mileage on the track, she is proving an exciting prospect this season.