Dubai Beach prevails in G2 Cape Verdi thriller

Dubai Beach registered her first Pattern-race victory with a tenacious performance in the G2 Cape Verdi at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 16 January. 

Stepping back up to a mile after a close second at the course last week, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old raced exuberantly in last under Kieran Shoemark as stablemate Dubai Treasure led the six runners early on. 

Dubai Treasure established a two-length advantage off the home turn, with Dubai Beach switched wide to begin her challenge as multiple South African G1 winner Quid Pro Quo came between horses. 

Dubai Beach and Quid Pro Quo made headway to join the leader entering the final furlong. All three contenders found generously for pressure, with Blue Point mare Dubai Beach asserting close home to win by a neck. Dubai Treasure was the same distance further back in third. 

Saeed bin Suroor said: “I am very pleased to win the Cape Verdi again. Dubai Beach is an improving filly, who we felt would appreciate the step back up to a mile. We will look at the Balanchine for both her and Dubai Treasure.” 

Kieran Shoemark added: “I won on Dubai Beach at Kempton back in June, when she was fiercely keen, whereas today she was manageable. We did not go overly quick, but she showed a nice turn of foot and hit the line strongly. 

“I felt she got to them really easily and, whether she was not doing a whole lot in front, I thought she would put two or three lengths on them. She made harder work of it but is clearly improving and the fillies’ division here is for the taking. She will have no problems stepping up in trip for the Balanchine.” 

Beccali returned from over a year off the track to make a taking UAE debut for Charlie Appleby in a seven-furlong handicap. A winner on the all-weather in 2024, the four-year-old tracked the leaders before moving through the gears nicely in the straight to score by almost four lengths. 

William Buick said: “Beccali was well prepared for this evening and, although you worry whether they will be fully tuned in having had a long time off, he broke well and took me along the whole way. It was a very straightforward performance. 

“You would have to be pleased with what he did there. I think he can only build on this given he had such a long layoff. Tonight justified why he is still with us and hopefully he can make that progression. He has a good cruising speed and will definitely stay a mile.”