Ya Hayati leads home sea of blue in Listed Zabeel Turf

Ya Hayati bounced back to form with an impressive display in the Listed Zabeel Turf as Godolphin runners filled the first six places in the 10-furlong turf handicap at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 28 January.

The son of Dubawi captured the Meydan Trophy at the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival but had disappointed in two subsequent appearances, including on his latest outing in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Ya Hayati was covered up in mid-field by Mickael Barzalona as Passion And Glory and High End cut out the early running. The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old continued to stalk the pace before being switched out to deliver his challenge as Bright Melody hit the front passing the two-furlong marker.

Ya Hayati quickened well to hit the front entering the final furlong and readily went clear to score by a length and a quarter over the rallying Bright Melody. Star Safari took third ahead of Brilliant Light, Royal Marine and Al Maysan.

Charlie Appleby said: “Ya Hayati has been gelded since his last run, which has helped, and Mickael Barzalona gave him a lovely ride. It was a competitive handicap but he was coming into it off a nice weight.”

Mickael Barzalona said: “I expected Ya Hayati to run a good race but thought Star Safari had a better chance. The race went pretty comfortably for me and I had a nice, easy run. Ya Hayati was pretty relaxed tonight and we went a good gallop for the first furlong, which helped me to get him relaxed for the first part of the race.

“It’s always better when you can get into a good early position and I was quite happy to have Star Safari in front of me. My horse did everything at the right part of the race and was good enough today.”