Meydan: Tryster handles turf in Dubai Millennium Stakes

Tryster won for the seventh time in his last eight starts and won the first turf stakes of his career in Thursday’s $200,000 Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

Ridden by William Buick, Tryster (7-2 with British bookmakers) closed from the back of a field of 10 to take the lead in the final furlong of the Grade 3 race at 2,000 meters, or about 1 1/4 miles. Tryster finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of Haafaguinea, who had won three of his previous four starts.

Haafaguinea, the 15-8 favorite, set the pace and was challenged by Tryster with a furlong remaining. Meadow Creek, who raced near the front throughout, finished third.

Tryster, 5, is unbeaten in six starts on all-weather surfaces in England. Trained by Charlie Appleby for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing, Tryster was last of five in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes on turf at Sandown Park in England last May. The Dubai Millennium Stakes was Tryster’s first win on turf since a maiden race at Brighton, England, in 2014.

By Shamardal, Tryster has won 8 of 11 starts. The Dubai Millennium Stakes was his first start since a win in a conditions race on the all-weather surface at Chelmsford City Racecourse in England last September.