Falls Of Lora shines with UAE Oaks success

Report: UAE, Thursday

Meydan: UAE Oaks (Group 3), 1m 1½f, 3yo fillies

MAHMOOD AL ZAROONI added the UAE Oaks to his wins in this season's UAE 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Meydan, but it was second-string Falls Of Lora who came out on top in an astonishing race.

James Doyle sent the Stan Moore-trained Mary Fildes into an immediate lead and she moved further clear, racing down the back straight to be a dozen lengths or more in front as they straightened from home.

With it slowly dawningon the jockeys in behind just how far clear Mary Fildes was, the others were working frantically hard to catch the longtime leader.

Doyle's adventurous tactics looked like they were going to pay off, but his mount ran out of gas in the final strides to be caught by Mickael Barzelona on Falls Of Lora late on.     

Pimpernel, second in the UAE 1,000 Guineas behind stablemate Gamilati, was sent off a warm order favourite to add this race to her haul of four wins last year, but she was unable to make any impact on the race having had just one behind at the top of the straight.

With Alsindi just edging out Moon Spun in the photo for third, the disappointing Pimpernel beat just Colourful Notion home.  

Al Zarooni said: "I admit I was worried three furlongs out when I thought the runner-up had stolen it. Pimpernel was too keen early on and probably has not stayed but Falls Of Lora has saved the day.

"We will look at the UAE Derby with her but Kinglet is probably our main hope at the moment. We will look at the entries and decide later on so it remains a possibility."