Friday morning’s Meydan card saw Australian gallopers perform well without winning as the Dubai World Cup Carnival intensifies.
Scarf, the ghostly grey formerly trained by Peter Snowden, ran home for second at his first Dubai appearance in the early hours of this morning under Silvestre de Sousa.
The son of Lonhro, a winner of the Listed Winter Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill last July, is sure to improve on his 1.5L second to Sooraah over 1600m on the Tapeta surface.
Now trained by Saeed bin Suroor as part of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, it is unclear where he will head for his next start.
Meanwhile, the Australian-trained American import Unusual Suspect made up many lengths in the straight to finish a creditable sixth over 2000m at his first start since finishing ninth in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
Ridden by champion jockey Ryan Moore, the Mick Kent-trained galloper seemed to be struggling around the home turn, giving away as much as fifteen lengths to the leaders.
However, he picked up towards the end, just peaking on his run late to finish sixth.
Unusual Suspect is on a path to the Group 1 Sheema Classic (2400m) on World Cup night.
Australian interest will be high again late tonight and early tomorrow as Myer Classic placegetter Dysphonia aims to make a winning debut in the Group 2 Balanchine (1800m) at Meydan.
