Winter Lightning (Ire) (Shamardal), Rayya (Tiz Wonderful) and Expressiy (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) filled the top three spots, in that order, in the 1400 metre UAE 1000 Guineas trial on Jan. 18 and again in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas over a mile on Feb. 8, and they face off once again upped to 1900 metres in Thursday's G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan.
While just a head separated Winter Lightning and Rayya in the trial, with Expressiy 10 lengths back in third, Saeed bin Suroor's filly was much more authoritative in the Guineas itself, drawing off by two lengths from Rayya, who had set the pace on both occasions, with Expressiy getting closer, just a half-length off Rayya.
Winter Lightning is the one to beat on that form and bin Suroor described her latest work as “particularly good.” Trainer Doug Watson said of Rayya, “She is in great shape and has been pleasing us at home. She is, we hope, improving all the time and we think the extra distance will suit. Obviously, Winter Lightning is going to be hard to beat but our filly is in top form.”
Trainer Charlie Appleby expressed similar sentiments about Expressiy, saying, “The extra trip should certainly suit her and she has done nothing but improve this year. Obviously she has ground to make up but we certainly hope she can at least get closer to the two fillies who have beaten her twice.”
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