Meydan review: Cladocera oozes Meydan class

A review of Thursday's action from Meydan where French raider Cladocera galloped to Group Two glory.

Cladocera followed up her victory in the Cape Verdi three weeks earlier with a comfortable victory in the Group Two Balanchine at Meydan.

Christophe Soumillon held up the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained filly towards the rear of the field before bringing her with a pulsating run in the centre of the course in the straight.

The 1/2 favourite hit the front half a furlong from the finish and bounded clear to win by a length and three-quarters from Anahita, with the Richard Hannon-trained Zurigha a length away third.

Soumillon said: "I had a bad draw, so I had to sit at the back and she made up so much ground.

"It's a good result with the more weight she had to carry. Over nine furlongs with some cover she is better."

Tony Carroll's Epsom Dash winner Caspian Prince made all the running under Richard Hughes to win the Meydan Sobha.

A known speedster, nothing could catch him after he shot into an early lead. The former Kevin Ryan-trained Hototo, already a Carnival winner, chased in vain but went down by a length. Jamesie finished fourth for David Marnane.

Medicean Man was an unplaced favourite for Jeremy Gask.

Hunter's Light followed up his Carnival win of three weeks ago with another success, this time in the Dubai Millennium to give James Doyle a ninth winner of the meeting.

Saeed bin Suroor's chestnut is reaching the veteran stage of his career now as a seven-year-old but appears to have lost none of his dash.

Fourth in the 2013 Champion Stakes to Farhh, he has been steadily brought to the boil and a crack at the Dubai Turf (formerly the Dubai Duty Free) now looks on the cards.

Mike de Kock's Umgiyo followed him through but could never get on terms.

"I couldn't be happier with how things are going," Doyle told the Dubai Racing Channel. "I'm riding for the right trainer.

"I was delighted with that, it was a nice performance. He needed his last run but it was a nice confidence booster. He's shown what he can do tonight. He might not have the stamina for the Sheema Classic so I'd say the Duty Free might be a better option."

Pat Dobbs was in double form and after earlier winning on Layl he guided Storm Belt to victory, both for Doug Watson.

Of the latter, Dobbs said: "He has a dirt pedigree which helps.

"He's disappointed a few times but showed a bit more encouragement last time out.

"Doug has done a good job getting him back."

The Dark Emerald success story continued as the Brendan Powell-trained five-year-old bagged his second Meydan success, claiming the District One Handicap on turf under Richard Mullen.

Powell said: "I said if he won there's a Group Two here next week and at a mile, which would suit him.

"He travelled beautifully, stayed on well and was given a great ride."