Al Zanati runner-up in G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes

Al Zanati ultimately did well to finish second in the G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes after racing keenly for a significant part of the mile contest at Newmarket, UK, on Saturday, 11 October.

The Dubawi colt had drifted across the track when making a winning introduction for Charlie Appleby on the July Course in August and again showed signs of immaturity by refusing to settle in third behind Hankelow and Glacius.

Al Zanati shifted under pressure as the pace lifted a furlong and a half out before knuckling down for William Buick entering the final furlong.

Hankelow found plenty in front, with the Night Of Thunder colt making all to prevail by a length and a quarter. Al Zanati rallied late on to come out on top in a bunch finish for second as Glacius (Too Darn Hot) completed a clean sweep for Darley-sired runners.

Charlie Appleby said: “The keenness from Al Zanati is something we have not seen at all before today as he is very straightforward at home. We brought him here two weeks ago for a gallop, for educational reasons more than anything, and he never showed a sign of that, so today caught everyone by surprise.

“William said after the first furlong that it was damage limitation. We thought he was going to stop pretty quickly after the two-furlong pole, but William could not believe how well he picked up and stayed on up the hill.

“There is clearly an engine there; we just have to iron out that keenness. I would imagine that is him done for the year. He is a big, scopey horse and another winter on his back won’t do him any harm.”