The Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan overnight featured the Group I Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on turf with Australian bred sprinters The Astrologist (Zoustar) and Sight Seek (Magnus) acquitting themselves admirably to finish second and fourth.
The race was won by Shadwell homebred Danyah, a six year-old Invincible Spirit gelding who was a handicap performer in the UK before being sent to Dubai last year where he has been mixing his form, although did win a Listed race two starts ago.
He was a 33-1 chance, but the Musabbeh Al Mheiri trained Danyah did best in a thrilling finish to post a head win over the Leon and Troy Corstens trained Zoustar gelding The Astrologist, who was brave in defeat.
The race favourite Al Suhail (Dubawi) was third for Godolphin with the John Size trained Hong Kong based Aussie bred Sight Seek a close up in fourth.
A multiple Group III winner in Australia that has also been Group I placed, The Astrologist went to Dubai off a sixth in the Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap where he was beaten two lengths by In Secret.
A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Goodwood farm draft, The Astrologist has been a remarkably tough and consistent campaigner with eight wins and 13 placings from 36 starts with prizemoney in excess of $2.6million.
The Astrologist has been invited to Royal Ascot, so will not return to Australia in the short term with his owners indicating he will go on to the UK to be trained by Marco Botti in preparation for the Group I Platinum Jubilee Stakes (6f).
