The main turf race at Meydan on Super Saturday, the 1800m $260 000 Gr1 Jebel Hatta sponsored by Emirates Airline produced a dramatic finish with Lord Glitters finishing fast and late to snatch what had appeared an unlikely victory throughout most of the long straight.
Settled in last by Danny Tudhope, the admirable 8-year-old grey Whipper gelding tracked Godolphin’s Al Suhail, but looked in trouble when the latter hit the front with about 200m remaining. However, the Godolphin horse drifted off a straight line, eventually losing second to Eqtiraan with Tudhope’s mount passing them both in the final 50m.
Lord Glitters (Daniel Tudhope) after his win in the Gr1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline. (Pic – Erika Rasmussen and Dubai Racing Club)
Trained by David O’Meara, thus representing Britain, it was a second course and distance victory at this carnival for Lord Glitters who, when partnered by Adrie de Vries, made a winning start to his campaign in the Gr2 Singspiel Stakes.
Then, under Tudhope and carrying a penalty, he was third to Zakouski in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya over the same track and trip, having beaten that Godolphin runner in the Singspiel Stakes.
It was also a second Gr1 victory for Lord Glitters, victorious over 1600m in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2019.
Tudhope said: “He only really picked up in the last 300m and I was worried for a fair way. The race was not run to suit him as he prefers a much faster gallop, but luckily, it all worked out in the end.
“We can look forward to the Dubai Turf now when, hopefully, they will go a good gallop from the outset as opposed to how this race panned out.”
