Back to the Future for Bin Suroor with Dubai Gold Cup win

Dubai Future rolled back the years for Saeed bin Suroor by powering his way to victory in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan.

The trainer had not landed the two-mile Group Two since Cavalryman’s success in 2013 and was on a lengthy World Cup night barren run, but his nine-year-old produced a strong finish under the hands of Silvestre De Sousa to win by two lengths ahead of Christophe Ferland’s Double Major.

Fellow Godolphin entry Trawlerman, third in last year’s renewal, took up the early running at a pedestrian pace and remained in front until the final half-mile, when the chasing pack closed in.

Double Major nudged ahead, followed by the David O’Meara-trained Epic Poet before Dubai Future rattled home to secure Bin Suroor’s first World Cup night winner since 2019.

De Sousa said: “They didn’t go a strong pace early on but he relaxed, travelled and switched off.

“My concern was the trip but he came there strongly and was ready to go. I’m delighted for His Highness, it was such a great effort.”

Dubai Future returned from 427 days off to win at Meydan in February and followed up in fine style.

Bin Suroor said: “He had a setback and it isn’t easy to keep any horse sound all his life, but it was nothing major. It took him a long time but thank God he came back and now we’ll take him to France next month for a Group One.”

O’Meara said of third-placed Epic Poet: “I wasn’t disappointed that they went slow and I was pleased with the way he quickened in the straight.

“We will look at the Yorkshire Cup and think about giving him a break, as I would love to bring him back to Dubai and Saudi Arabia next year.”