D’bai narrowly denied in G2 Park Stakes

D’bai produced another excellent display over seven furlongs when going down by a neck in the G2 Park Stakes at Doncaster, UK, on Saturday, 15 September. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, a G3 winner over the same trip at Haydock Park in June, was covered up in a close seventh of the nine runners by William Buick, just behind Godolphin’s other runner Dutch Connection (Charlie Hills/James Doyle). 

Dutch Connection moved up to dispute the running passing the two-furlong pole and gained an overall advantage over a furlong from home, with D’bai quickening strongly to challenge for the lead shortly afterwards. 

The duo looked set to fight out the finish until being headed with half a furlong to race by Mustashry, who won in 1m 23.92s on good ground, with D’bai staying on in second and Dutch Connection coming home fourth after being passed by Oh This Is Us near the line. 

Charlie Appleby commented: “It was a pleasing run from D’bai, who has shown his consistency throughout the season. 

“D’bai has shown versatility throughout his career but seven furlongs looks to be his optimum distance these days.

“He will probably head back to Dubai now, with the G2 Al Fahidi Fort (7f) – in which he was fourth earlier this year – as his main target again.”