Class prevails as With The Moonlight strikes in G2 Cape Verdi

G1 Belmont Oaks runner-up With The Moonlight made a successful return to action when beating a game White Moonlight in the G2 Cape Verdi at Meydan on Friday, 3 February.

Frankel homebred With The Moonlight, dropping down to a mile for her Carnival debut following a highly productive North American visit in 2022, tracked the leaders in fifth under William Buick as White Moonlight dictated from Soft Whisper.

With The Moonlight took second from Soft Whisper a furlong and a half from home but the Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old was made to work to reel in White Moonlight, who kicked for home in the straight.

Last season’s G3 Saratoga Oaks winner closed in on the rallying leader and asserted inside the final half-furlong to prevail by three-quarters of a length, with the front two pulling nearly four lengths clear of third home Samedi Rain.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were pleased with the performance of With The Moonlight. A mile was always going to be on the short side for her, while she was also coming off a nice break. We expect her to come forward for the run and stepping up to nine furlongs for the Balanchine will be the next step before hopefully another trip back out to America.”

William Buick said: “With The Moonlight is a really good filly and this was a nice race to start her back. She has done very well – she was taking on some race-fit fillies who set a good standard – and she will come on plenty for her first run of the year.”