Dubai Treasure battles for third in G2 Balanchine

Dubai Treasure put up another valiant effort at Meydan this season as she came home third in the G2 Balanchine on Friday, 20 February.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained mare was looking to reverse the form with stablemate Dubai Beach after the duo finished first and third in last month’s G2 Cape Verdi, with debut winner Blue Nazare also lining up in the nine-furlong feature for Charlie Appleby.

Dubai Treasure broke quickest of the seven runners and soon tracked Capitana Bling in a three-quarter-length second before a free-running Blue Nazare went by the duo to lead with six furlongs to race.

Having regained second three furlongs out, Dubai Treasure quickened to pass Blue Nazare entering the final quarter-mile, with Fairy Glen and Dubai beach also making headway down the outside of the field.

Dubai Treasure rallied under Oisin Orr but could not repel Farhh mare Fairy Glen, who took up the running over a furlong out before going on to score by half a length.

Riyabovka made late gains to edge out Dubai Treasure for second close home, with Dubai Beach staying on to grab fourth and Blue Nazare fading to sixth following her early exertions.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Both fillies ran well. Dubai Treasure didn’t quite stay the nine furlongs, but it was another good run from her. We might look at dropping them both back to seven furlongs for the G3 Ras Al Khor in a couple of weeks.”

By The Book also finished third in Group company for a second successive time at Meydan in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

Stepping up to a mile and six furlongs for the first time, the Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old was steadied in a clear six of the eight runners as Crystal Black won the early battle for the lead.

By The Book made good inroads after being switched out at the top of the straight, taking third approaching the final furlong before keeping on to go down by just under three lengths in total behind Al Nayyir.