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Star Safari shines brightly in G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes

Racenews

Star Safari maintained his progressive profile as he recorded a first G3 success when beating Bedouin’s Story in the Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 25 February.

All three Godolphin horses in the 10-furlong turf feature were held up towards the rear of the seven runners, with Star Safari racing in fifth under William Buick ahead of Dream Castle (Pat Cosgrave) and Bedouin’s Story (Frankie Dettori), who missed the break.

The trio were taken wide in the straight, with Star Safari quickening strongly to lead approaching the final furlong. Bedouin’s Story showed his customary turn of foot to go second half a furlong out but Star Safari was always in control, passing the post a length and a quarter in front.

Halimi took third, with Dream Castle coming home fourth. It was a third victory in four Meydan appearances for Star Safari, who broke the 10-furlong course record at the 2020 Carnival and scored on his previous outing in a 12-furlong handicap.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were very pleased with the performance of Star Safari. It was obviously a step back in trip from his previous run and a step up in grade, but he saw it out well. “He has performed well at the Carnival again this year and the likelihood is that we will give him a nice break now.”

William Buick said: “Star Safari has stepped up from his previous form here. He ran over this trip on his first start of the campaign and then won over a mile and a half, where he won. He is a lightly raced horse, so he is growing up all the time, and I really liked what he did tonight.

“It was a very straightforward win and he kept fighting all the way to the line. It might not have been the best G3 around but they are pretty well-seasoned horses, so it was a good performance.”