The four Scandinavian-trained runners at Meydan had a hard time of it on Friday evening, where Stall Trick Or Treat’s three-year-old Bruce Almighty ended up faring best in ninth in the Jumeirah Stakes. The Appel Au Maitre colt crossed the line just under 10 lengths behind the winner Northern Champion.
The first horse in action on Friday afternoon was Niels Petersen-trained Rock Of Cashel (Wootton Bassett), who in the Zabeel Turf made his first start since being bought for 40,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Horses In Training Sale in Newmarket in the autumn.
Under Carlos Lopez the four-year-old was 11th past the post, a little over 10 lengths behind Charlie Appleby-trained Arabian Light (Kingman) with William Buick.
Next up was Veronika Jandová-trained Megarry (Inns Of Court), who had his second start in the Emirates since being acquired at Arqana’s Vente de l’Elevage in October.
Megarry and the Dutch rider Adrie de Vries finished second last in the ARN Handicap over 1200 metres on turf.
Then came the turn of the aforementioned Bruce Almighty (Appel Au Maitre), who was given a perfect trip on the inside by Lopez, and on turning into the straight the Breeders’ Trophy Juvenile winner looked to have every chance of a good placing.
Bruce Almighty could not, however, answer the many strong challenges out in the middle of the track, but he never gave up entirely and came out of his first start since 19 October with plenty of credit.
Finally there had been high hopes for Niels Petersen’s three-year-old Bullet Bling (Violence) in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over 1400 metres on dirt.
Bullet Bling, who ran only once as a two-year-old and won the Skånelandlöpning in convincing style from Papa Joe (Kodi Bear), broke from stall six and was slightly squeezed at the start, after which Carlos Lopez sought a wider path to avoid too much kick-back.
It never really came together for Bullet Bling, who crossed the line 13th, 28 lengths behind the winner Six Speed (Not This Time). Here too William Buick was in the irons on the winner.
