Secret Advisor completed back-to-back victories by claiming the Group 2 Nad Al Sheba Trophy in the penultimate fixture of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan on Thursday.
William Buick settled the Charlie Appleby-trained Dubawi gelding behind front-running stable companion Gifts Of Gold for much of the 2,810m distance before taking him to the front at the final bend to lead the first four home for Godolphin.
Secret Advisor won the Listed Meydan Cup under Tadhg O’Shea over the course and distance in similar style four weeks ago and was even better when stepping up in class on the night.
“I am very pleased with the performance,” Buick said of the six-year-old. “We got a breather down the back, but I knew the leader was going to fall away.
“He travels well and stays really well. It’s nice to get him back (into form) and all credit to the team.
“It’s a real testament to everyone. A lot of care for the horse. A great team performance and very rewarding for everyone. I’m not sure what his future plans are, but he could be a horse who could do well in the summer, as well.”
Secret Advisor failed to shine in two starts in England last year after missing the whole of 2018 after showing some promise as a three-year-old. He is now proving to be a star in the making in Dubai.
“We were very pleased with his first start here,” Appleby said. “Before, when he was a three-year-old, he won the Melrose and that’s a good race to produce staying horses for the future.
“Unfortunately, he’s been challenging for everybody and full credit to the team at this stage of his career.
“William was delighted with that. He’s travelled around and was the class in the race, really.
“He’s picked up and he’s stayed ... he’s ticked all the boxes. Whether we get a shot to run him on (Dubai) World Cup night, we’ll see on racing, as he’s still got a bit to find.
“If he doesn’t get the opportunity to run World Cup night, then I’m sure we’ll look down the staying route back in Europe and regroup here next winter.”
With Secret Advisor’s success, Appleby was completing a hat-trick on the night after Buick won the second race on board Well Of Wisdom and Mickael Barzalona took the next atop Star Safari.
Buick completed a treble when bringing the American trainer Doug O’Neill’s Parsimony home in the Listed Curlin Stakes.
Fernando Jara made all on Majed Al Jahouri’s Bandar to win the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 for Purebred Arabians after the stable-star Shahm became fractious at the gates and withdrawn.
