Global Storm surges to victory in G2 Dubai City Of Gold

Global Storm posted the biggest win of his career as he made most of the running to beat Kemari in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored by Emirates SkyCargo at Meydan on Super Saturday, 4 March.

The Night Of Thunder six-year-old, making his first start since September, had run well over the course and distance on both his Meydan appearances last year, including finishing third in this race 12 months ago.

After breaking smartly from his high draw, Global Storm tracked the leaders on the outside of the field until William Buick sent him to the front of the 14 runners after the first three furlongs.

Global Storm continued to dictate and kicked for home with two furlongs to race. Kemari stayed on to go second approaching the final furlong but could not challenge his stable-mate, who found more in front to prevail by two and a half lengths.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Global Storm has been working with Rebel’s Romance and the one thing I took from the result was that if Rebel’s Romance had been in there, it would have been an easy race for him.

“Global Storm is a solid campaigner out here – he ran well in this race last year behind Hukum – and it was a race that we thought could set up well for him. William gave him a lovely ride on the front end and was able to dictate.

“The horse looked a picture in the paddock and, if anything, I thought he might come forward for the run, but he had done plenty of galloping and we were confident he would be fit enough.

“Realistically, I do not see him being here on Dubai World Cup Night. As solid as he is, we know we will be taking on a different kettle of fish on Dubai World Cup Night. He will go back to England with that G2 penalty, which will make him a bit trickier to place.

“I was pleased with Kemari. With the fractions from halfway, it was going to be a challenge for him as he likes a gallop to run at. He was one of those unfortunate horses who has not got his head in front for a while now, but he has still run solid.”

William Buick said: “Global Storm had to work to get to the front but he did everything right. He is a very relaxed horse and you are never worried about him over-racing. He got to the front, pricked his ears, and it was just a question of what he would find in the straight.

“Once he picked up from the apex of the turn, I thought it would take something decent to get past him. He was third in this race last year, so you go back to that form as well as his third in the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes, and it shows he is a very decent horse on his day.”