Unbeaten Congrats filly Polar River (USA) was never out of second gear winning the G3 UAE Oaks (1900m) at Meydan on Thursday night.
Having won her first three starts by a combined 30 lengths, Polar River scared off rivals from the Oaks and raced against only two contenders. She cruised home under Pat Dobbs, easing back to score by three-quarters of a length from Argentinian Group 1 winner Vale Dori. Swedish bred filly Dolly Dagger was never in the hunt and finished 18 lengths adrift in the three-horse field.
“She travelled better tonight and won it in a few strides,” said Dobbs. “She idled in the final stages but has won comfortably enough.”
Polar River (3f Congrats – Bayou Tortuga by Empire Maker) is trained by American expat Doug Watson and is the ruling pre-post favourite for the UAE Derby (1900m) later this month. She has also been earmarked for a possible assault on the G1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
“Pat eased her up because we didn’t want a hard race,” Watson said. “She’s still learning and we got away with it.”
Polar River is raced by Valentin Bukhtoyarov and Evgeny Kappushevter after making $40,000 at the 2015 Ocala 2YO Sale. The UAE Oaks carried 50 qualifying points towards the G1 Kentucky Oaks on May 6.
