CO MEATH endurance rider Amy McAuley clocked up the mileage last week during the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival with consistent places.

Held annually at Dubai Endurance City and sandwiched in between the major flat race meetings of ‘Super Saturday’ and ‘Dubai World Cup’ at Meydan, the four race festival kicked off on Monday March 11th with the Dubai Crown Prince Ladies Cup CEN 119km.

Defending her title in the race, McAuley again partnered Huitru XR as 178 horses and riders lined out for the 7am start with the first loop of 40km followed by 35km, 26km and a final loop of 18km. She was well within the top eight placings throughout the loops and was in fourth and just 23 seconds behind the leader when leaving the gate for the final loop.

Amy and Huitru XR caught up with the leaders within 5km and kept up great momentum. With 4km to go, the four in the lead group kicked for home.

Amy decided to take not to push Huitru XR as she felt he was tiring and coasted home to finish in fourth place. First and second were also from F3 Stables.

Next up the following day was the Dubai Crown Prince Cup for Private Stables CEN 119km (non Sheikh owned stables). McAuley rode Romeo De Perros for TNT Private Stables, Dubai. Going out on the last loop she held first place, albeit by only one second.

The instruction from the team were, win if she could but don’t push too hard. With 10km to go, she decided that the finish would be a tough battle between the top three so she took him home easy, finishing a credible fourth place of 354 starters, of which 90 completed and 264 eliminations.

Some 114 stables were represented in this race and TNT Private Stables had 14 runners entered with McAuley’s place being their top result.