Meydan: English filly Shuruq beats males in Al Maktoum Challenge

On the turf courses of England, the filly Shuruq is merely a competent performer, listed-stakes class and not much more. But on the Tapeta surface at Meydan her talent blooms, and she beat males capturing the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 by three quarters of a length on Thursday’s first program of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden to victory for Godolphin by Silvestre de Sousa, Shuruq raced in mid-pack behind Empire Storm’s slow early pace, beginning her move about halfway through the one-mile, one-turn race. Shuruq found her best stride in the homestretch and stormed to the lead about 50 yards out, comfortably outfinishing runner-up Empire Storm in the Group 3, $250,000 race. Brendan Bracken finished third, just in front of Steeler, another Godolphin runner making his first start in more than one year. The winner was timed in a swift 1:35.24.

Shuruq, a homebred by Elusive Quality, now has 2 wins and 2 seconds from 5 Meydan starts. She won the Group 3 UAE Oaks last March, and could have more to give in upcoming stakes engagements.

“She likes this surface for sure. There’s no doubt,” said de Sousa. “You’ll see a bit more. She’ll improve from the run, as well.”

Mushreq won the $150,000 Singspiel Stakes on turf in the race before the Al Maktoum Challenge, one of two winners on the night for trainer Mike de Kock. Charlie Appleby, sending out his first Carnival runners as a head trainer, also won two of the evening’s six Thoroughbred races.