Australian Interest in Friday's Feature Winners at Meydan

Mark Smith - Sunday February 14

There was a good deal of Australian interest in the results of the two Grou II features at Meydan on Friday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Zakouski (GB), a half-brother to the Group III ATC Up & Coming Stakes winner and Group 1 ATC Golden Rose Stakes runner-up Albrecht, captured the Group II Al Rashidiya stakes (1800m)

It was the third Meydan victory from four starts for the son of Lonhro's unraced sister Giselle, who captured last year's Group II Zabeel Mile.

Zakouski (GB) advanced his record to five wins and a second from eight starts.

"We have stepped up in trip this year and will probably look at the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday as his final Carnival start this year," Appleby said.

Besides Albrecht, the son of Shamardal is a half brother to the Group III Prix Thomas Bryon winner King's Command (Dubawi).

The Group II Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 was won by a German-bred son of the champion Sepoy.

Salute The Soldier (GER) staked his claim for the Dubai World Cup on March 27 following his win by a length.

Advertisement

The winner of the Group III Burj Nahaar Stakes and races at Ascot and Goodwood, Salute The Soldier is trained by Bahraini Fawzi Nass.

He is another with a consistent record with seven wins, five seconds and three thirds from 20 starts.

"Things had not gone to plan in two runs so far this season so we decided to step him up in trip, and it has worked perfectly," de Vries said.

"We went a good early pace, but I was keen to pressure Mickael (Barzalona, on Capezzano) quite early and then my horse really picked up well.

"Perhaps we can look at the 2,000 meters and Dubai World Cup.

The son of Sepoy is the best of five winners from seven to race out of the unraced Street Cry (IRE) mare Street Fire.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Confirm Skybird for Everest Slot
Inglis is thrilled to confirm G1 winner Skybird (Exosphere) as our representative for the running of the $20m The Everest.
Golden Rose Colts – Sires of the Future
The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) this Saturday offers the winner far more than prizemoney and assuming it’s a colt he is given a golden ticket to a commercial stud career, so let’s take a look at this year’s contenders, who would you want on your stallion roster in 2026?
Breeding to Win - 2025 Manikato Stakes
Racing at The Valley on Grand Final Eve in Melbourne - the southern capital doing what it does best, bringing people together in celebration of sporting greatness!
Half Yours Delivers Fee Increase for St Jean
The rise of Caulfield Cup favourite Half Yours as one of the most promising young stayers in the land has put the spotlight on his sire St Jean (IRE).
Horse Trading Stock Issues to Avoid
One of the key areas in thoroughbred taxation is accounting for trading stock and ensuring the tax closing value is properly ascertained. You’d be quite surprised of the enormous difference to the tax position of any racing player where trading stock problems occur.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and an Anders three year-old he bred and races was an eye-catching debut winner at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 25
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
La Dorada Chasing Redemption at Valley
Last season’s champion NZ two-year-old La Dorada will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Invincible Filly Snares $100,000 Inglis Bonus
The least expensive filly by champion sire I Am Invincible sold at Inglis Easter in 2024, Wear the Crown always looked to have been well bought at $260,000 by Seib/Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds and she set about repaying her purchase price at Goulburn on Thursday.
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.