Imperial Emperor and Opera Ballo, stars of Fashion Friday at Meydan

They won the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) and the Jebel Hatta (G1); the South Americans finished in the final positions of the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3)

Imperial Emperor was unstoppable / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— Imperial Emperor managed to improve on his performance from 12 months ago and secured a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1) after conquering the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1), the centerpiece of Fashion Friday at Meydan Racecourse.

It was a brilliant night for trainer Bhupat Seemar, this being the highlight of his four victories. Ridden by Richie Mullen, the 6-year-old closely tracked the pace set by Masmak (Vino Rosso) and took the lead at the 600-meter mark, staying on strongly to withstand the bid of Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) by a length and a half. Heart Of Honor (Honor A.P.) finished a distant third.

“I’m ecstatic! Actually, I don’t know how I’m feeling. What a horse!” exclaimed Ryan Tongue, director of Deva Racing. “This syndicate is Dubai, we love Dubai, and to have another chance in the Dubai World Cup is a dream. I turned down the invitation to the Saudi Cup, which was a difficult decision, but we want to try and win the World Cup.”

For his part, Mullen, who returned from a serious injury at the start of the season, added: “He’s a very straightforward horse. I wanted to be positive with him; he traveled like a dream and, when I saw Bernardo Pinheiro [on Masmak] giving way, I knew it was the moment. He put the race to bed in a couple of strides.”

Opera Ballo in the Jebel Hatta

Opera Ballo has been exciting since he first set foot on a track a year ago, and now he is a G1 winner after a scorching victory in the Jebel Hatta (G1). In a standout night for jockey William Buick—who notched a treble—the Godolphinhorse dominated by 2 1/2 lengths over Silawi (Dubawi). “He reminds us a lot of his sire, Ghaiyyath,” noted Buick. The Charlie Appleby trainee now has the Dubai Turf (G1) in his sights.

Road to the Kentucky Derby

The UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) awarded points for the Kentucky Derby for the first time, and Six Speed claimed 20 of them after dominating by 5 lengths under the guidance of Mickael Barzalona. The son of Not This Time, recently acquired by American interests (Brunetti Dugan Stables and associates), allows his owners to dream of the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

It was a terrible afternoon for the three South American colts in the gates, as they occupied the last three positions. The Argentine Legalizaed (Dabster), one of the main contenders, was eased up on the turn and finished last, trailing the Uruguayans Namaguederaz (Algorithms) and Don Pelicano (Alcorano).

Seemar’s Festival

Bhupat Seemar did not stop there. He also captured the Firebreak Stakes (G3) with Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn) and the Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) with Drew’s Gold (Violence), the latter also under Buick. The jockey also achieved a "sprint double" by riding Cover Up (Exceed and Excel) to victory in the Blue Point Sprint (G2) on the turf.

Previously, Andrew Slattery secured his biggest win to date with Elnajmm (Sea the Stars) in the Al Fahidi Fort (G2), following a nearly one-year absence.

Sunway Shines in the Distance

The G1 winner at age two, Sunway (Galiway), returned to the winner's circle after a two-year drought in the Al Khail Trophy (G3) over 2,810 meters. With Silvestre de Sousa up, the David Menuisier pupil withstood the fatigue to prevail by a half-length.

The card began with another joy for De Sousa, who guided Muraad to his second consecutive G1 success among Purebred Arabians, claiming the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (G1) and emerging as the heavy favorite for the Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1).