Meydan Classic victory for Zaman

Zaman was the comfortable winner of the Listed Meydan Classic over a mile on turf at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 1 March.

The Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old colt, partnered by William Buick, was pushed along initially before being settled in third place on the inside as Picture No Sound made the running in the 14-strong field, with the other Godolphin contender, Racing Country (Saeed bin Suroor/Gerald Mosse), in second.

Zaman was switched out entering the straight and ran on strongly to lead over a furlong for home. 

The three-year-old son of Dutch Art was eased to score by a length and a half from the staying-on Waqqad in 1m 36.69s, with a further three and a quarter lengths back to the third Freescape. 

William Buick said: “We went a nice gallop, so it was going to be a race where everyone was going to get their chance, and I thought that we got a nice pitch on the inside. 

“I had a nice draw, which we made use of, and Zaman broke well today. 

“He ran well in the trial to finish second, when he was possibly a bit unlucky, and he was going to come forward for that race and the extra furlong today. 

“He had been going well at home and we felt that he would put up a bold show. 

“We travelled round on the inside and when I could get him out into a clear run entering the straight I did and it has worked out well.

“The saddle slipped back a little bit – it probably happened coming out of the gates – but we got home in one piece. 

“It was a workmanlike performance, but I didn’t think that he could have done a lot more. He has confirmed his run in the trial and was always going to be hard to beat over this trip. 

“I hope that he is a Group horse back in Europe. He could be a horse that progresses – he has a pretty stiff rating and handicaps are out of the question. 

“Charlie and the team will decide where he goes next and it’s just nice to get this step out of the way.”

Charlie Appleby commented: “Zaman delighted me.

“He stepped up for his first run this year and going over a mile.

“We have made an entry for the German 2,000 Guineas and we will consider that race when we get back to England.”

Racing Country dropped back at the distance to finish seventh.