Second Zabeel Mile Success For Safety Check

Safety Check won the G2 Zabeel Mile Sponsored By Al Naboodah Construction for the second year in succession at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, February 25.

The five-year-old son of Dubawi was slightly keen in the early stages of the turf contest and was settled in behind the leaders by jockey William Buick. He began to make progress on the turn for home and was asked to deliver his challenge entering the final furlong.

The Charlie Appleby-trained horse stayed on well to overhaul Ghaamer just before the line. The winning distance was a short-head in a time of 1m 36.45s.

Safety Check is now likely to head to Hong Kong on May 1 for the G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

Charlie Appleby said: "Full credit to Safety Check and a great ride by William. We have carried a penalty tonight and I felt this was a tougher race compared to last year, with a bit more strength in depth.

"He is a horse that wants to win - he wears his heart on his sleeve and has tried all the way to the line. It was a great performance.

"I think we will go to Hong Kong now and aim for the Champions Mile in May. He will have a nice break in Dubai and hopefully head out there. He deserves a crack at a Group One race now."

William Buick added: "It was a bit of a messy race. I didn't want to drop onto the rail because there were a couple of horses that I didn't fancy following, so I stayed one off the rail and had to fight for my place there.

"He quickened up very well in the straight. The second and third have come back to him on the line but Safety Check is such a sweet horse. He is a stable favourite and they have done such a good job with him and all of the rest of the horses out here, so they deserve this.

"Safety Check sees out the mile but he has got such a turn of foot, which is perfect over seven furlongs. He was on fumes towards the end but he is a very tough horse and got the job done."