Great Truth lives up to expectations in Dubai Trophy

Great Truth backed up a promising Meydan debut and paid a compliment to stable-mate Star Of Mystery with a tenacious win in the Dubai Trophy on Friday, 9 February.

The Dubawi colt had finished fourth over the same six-furlong trip on his three-year-old return in January’s Al Wasl Stakes, with the victorious Star Of Mystery going on to capture the G2 Blue Point Sprint.

Held up in mid-division, Great Truth stayed on strongly after being produced to deliver his challenge a furlong and a half from home. He collared Starlust for second approaching the final half-furlong and continued to respond gamely for William Buick, reeling in Frost At Dawn in the final strides for a head success.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “It was a pleasing effort from Great Truth. William felt afterwards that stepping up to seven furlongs would probably suit, so we will have a look at some options when he gets back to the UK.”

William Buick added: “Great Truth needed the run last time. For a lightly raced horse like he is, he was able to get more experience and showed there that he has improved for it.

“In many ways this was a similar sort of race and, with that run under his belt, I was very pleased with him. He knuckled down well, showed a great attitude, and hopefully he can improve from this.

“He is probably more of a seven-furlong horse. He is quite a natural traveller but, when you see those six furlongs horses in the last quarter-mile, they have more toe than him.”