Making her first start since a luckless runner-up effort to Lani (Tapit) in the G2 UAE Derby Mar. 26, 'TDN Rising Star' Polar River (Congrats) could do no better than fourth in a rated conditions test over 1600 metres Thursday evening at Meydan Racecourse.
Partnered by Pat Dobbs from stall nine, the 3-year-old filly, asked to carry 130 pounds and give weight to older male rivals, jumped decently, but was beaten for speed and settled in the latter half of the field early on. Taken out into about the four path on the turn, Polar River began to improve her position and circled up four deep at the top of the straight. For a few strides it looked as if she would sustain her momentum, but she peaked on her run with a furlong to race and stayed on into a one-paced fourth, some 6 1/4 lengths behind the victorious 96-rated Need To Know (SAf) (Western Winter) (video). Trainer Doug Watson told the Meydan press team after the race that he was confident Polar River would come on for the effort, without specifying her next objective.
A wide-margin winner on debut last December, Polar River took her winning streak to four with wins in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas and G3 UAE Oaks. In the UAE Derby, Polar River was pocketed away and came running late, but fell 3/4 of a length shy of Lani.
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