Royal Fleet denies Star Safari in thrilling G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes

Royal Fleet produced a late rally to beat Star Safari on the line as Godolphin’s dominance of the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes continued at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 25 February.

The royal blue silks had been carried to victory in nine of the previous 11 editions of the 10-furlong highlight, with Hunter’s Light and Ghaiyyath featuring on the roll of honour alongside defending Champion Star Safari.

Improving four-year-old Royal Fleet raced handily throughout under James Doyle and soon settled in second on the outside of Marie’s Diamond, with Star Safari covered up behind the leaders by Andrea Atzeni.

Royal Fleet headed Marie’s Diamond at the top of the straight and established a narrow advantage as Star Safari laid down a strong challenge a furlong out.

The Charlie Appleby-trained duo pulled clear, with Star Safari collaring his stable-companion inside the final furlong. Royal Fleet battled back strongly in the closing strides to regain the lead in the shadow of the post and prevail by a short head.

Charlie Appleby said: “We felt stepping up to 10 furlongs was going to suit Royal Fleet on the evidence that we have seen so far out here. He was the horse coming into the race who had that profile, younger horse, younger legs, and therefore hopefully there was a bit more scope to go forward with him.

“The pace was a sensible one and he got into a nice rhythm. To be fair to the horse, he is learning on the job and I said to James ‘just let him get into his rhythm’. Unfortunately, when James has asked him to quicken in his last couple of starts, he has got a bit tangled and lugged to the left but he ran as straight as a gun barrel tonight.

“He is a work in progress and I am pleased with the performance. We will take him back to the UK now and hopefully he can build on this.”

James Doyle said: “Star Safari had a little lead on me late on but, with the hood on, my horse had just taken his foot off the gas a little bit.

“Royal Fleet has been a work in progress. Each run he has got better and more relaxed to the point where, even with the wide draw today, we were pretty confident that he could go forward and would relax with no cover.

“I think one day we can contemplate trying him without the hood now that he is relaxing so well. He might just be a little more responsive late on in a finish as I felt that once he got left in front, he did take his foot off the gas, but I liked the way he responded when Star Safari joined him.

“It will be interesting trip-wise with him. He has been a horse who has always shown us quite a lot of speed and doesn’t lack for speed on his pedigree either. It just taken a bit of time to work him out, but he will be nice campaigner between a mile and 10 furlongs at home and is pretty versatile as regards to ground.”