Warren Point snatches victory in G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes

Warren Point enjoyed a career-best success when coming from last to first in a frantic finish to the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 2 February.

A Listed winner in the UK and Bahrain, the son of Dubawi was restrained in second last of the eight-strong field by Mickael Barzalona as Solid Stone made the running ahead of Trevaunance, Mount Tambora and New London.

Sean snuck up Warren Point’s inside at the top of the straight and rushed up to press Solid Stone for the lead approaching the final furlong, with New London also attempting to challenge down the centre of the course.

Warren Point, who was still last a furlong and a half out, meanwhile charted a daring course between runners and closed strongly, picking off New London and Solid Stone inside the final half-furlong before joining Sean on the line. The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old prevailed by a short-head, with three-quarters of a length back to Solid Stone and fourth home New London another length and a half in arrears.

Charlie Appleby said: “Warren Point won in Bahrain last year and was just touched off in Qatar’s big race but lost his way during the summer. We ran him in the autumn on soft ground to get a prep run into him before coming back over here.

“He had a great tow around there tonight and the race was run to suit him. Mickael gave him a great ride, going the brave man’s route, and thankfully the gaps opened. It was not guaranteed that he would get there, but he had the momentum and hit the line strongly.

“New London was the horse that William [Buick] had chosen, and we felt he was the right horse as well. He is the class horse and, although I have not had a chance to speak to William yet, I am sure he will say that we should start going back up in trip.”

Mickael Barzalona said: “Warren Point did very well because he raced a bit strong at the beginning. I had the chance to come wide, but I felt it was a bit early to go around horses. I went to the inside and got stuck, but he was able to pick up and win it. He is a talented horse, as we have seen in the past, and showed it again.”