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Beautiful Romance set for Dubai World Cup at Meydan

Beautiful Romance, ridden by Frederik Tylicki, wins at Doncaster
Image: Beautiful Romance booked her place for Dubai World Cup Night

Beautiful Romance gave Godolphin yet another big-race winner at Meydan with a gusty triumph in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

Oisin Murphy's partner (9-2) appeared susceptible to the challenge of Group One-winning grey Vazirabad as what was a rather lackadaisical encounter kicked into life inside the final two furlongs.

But Beautiful Romance, who was seventh in the Melbourne Cup on her penultimate start, was not for passing and stuck at it to win by a length and a half from the odds-on favourite.

Doncaster Cup and Champions Day scorer Sheikhzayedroad was third for the David Simcock operation.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "She was ready after a nice break.

"The filly is really tough. She's got a good turn of foot. The jockey made the difference, he's really strong.

"She beat two good horses and we'll go for the (Dubai) Gold Cup on World Cup night.

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"A mile and a half to two miles is no problem for her. That (Ascot Gold Cup), two and a half miles - that is another story."

Nomorerichblondes had earlier shown a really fine attitude to take the Group Three UAE Oaks.

Trained locally by Ahmad bin Harmash and ridden by Antonio Fresu, the Hard Spun filly looked to have her work cut out once she was pressurised by Complimenti some way from home.

But Nomorerichblondes responded purposefully and grew stronger with every yard of the race, which was in contrast to 5-4 favourite Complimenti, who faded into third spot.

Midnight Chica stayed on for second place but she was still a length and a half off the 7-2 winner.

Fresu said: "I was pretty sure she'd stay on over the trip. She's very small and she's very tough and loves the dirt.

"When I hit the front she was very green, but I was really confident she was still ready to go.

"She's still growing and she's still improving."

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