Alexandros, a talented performer with proven form in Group One company, cruised to victory in the Group Three Al Rashidiya Sponsored by Dubal International in the first race on turf at Meydan on Thursday, February 4.
Nine horses went to post for the nine-furlong contest but Alexandros proved to be a class apart as Saeed bin Suroor’s charge stormed to a three and a half length success over Crowded House, the 2009 Epsom Derby sixth.
Held up in third behind the South African pacesetter Front House, the five-year-old horse always looked in command.
As the field straightened for home in front of the vast grandstand, Frankie Dettori, released a length of rein and Alexandros smoothly reached the leaders.
Alexandros burst clear in a matter of strides a furlong and a half out before being eased close home for an impressive victory in 1m 51.74s on ground described as good to firm.
The narrow runner-up in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May was registering his third Dubai International Racing Carnival triumph, having landed a pair of mile handicaps last year before coming third in the Group One Dubai Duty Free at Meydan’s forerunner, Nad Al Sheba racecourse.
Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, said: “Alexandros won easily - he is a nice horse who was impressive.
“We were disappointed with him in Hong Kong, but he has worked very well since then.
"He handled the surface really well and I was very happy with the way he finished.
"The Dubai Duty Free is the plan at the moment, but we'll see how he comes out of this race.
"He is a very talented individual who won twice at the 2009 carnival before big runs in the Dubai Duty Free and Lockinge.”
Frankie Dettori added: “He is getting a bit older and nine furlongs fits him like a glove. I really fancied him as he's always run well in Dubai and when fresh.
“This fellow likes a bit of cut and I was a bit worried because it walked firm, but it is a great surface.
“I was really impressed with the condition of the turf track and especially the sweeping bends. Alexandros is a nice horse with some very good form in the book and, hopefully, he can improve from that.”