TWO group races took centre-stage on Thursday at Meydan’s fifth meeting of the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival. The meeting was highlighted by the $250,000 Group 2 Al Rashidiya over nine furlongs on turf and it was won in some style by Godolphin’s 2017 Royal Ascot victor Barney Roy.

Barney Roy (Excelebration) swung wide turning for home and followed last year’s winner and fellow Group 1 hero Dream Castle before pulling clear in the final furlong. Trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick were claiming their first victories in the race. Barney Roy had two and a quarter lengths to spare over Dream Castle, with a long way back to Mountain Hunter.