Elnajmm shocks favourite to win Ras Al Khor, Ray Dawson doubles

Elnajmm, a 6‑year‑old Sea The Stars gelding trained by Michael Costa and ridden by Ray Dawson, powered clear to win the Group 3 Ras Al Khor (Sponsored by Emaar) over 1400 metres (6f 211y) at Meydan, collecting a share of the د.إ.‏510,000 prize on Friday. The 7/1 industry starting price paid by Timeform underscored the upset, and Dawson’s late acceleration confirmed the gelding’s return to form following his Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort success in January.

The pattern of the race was clear: Elnajmm settled just behind the early leaders before being asked to lengthen in the straight, at which point he “quickened away” to put daylight between himself and his rivals, according to multiple reports. Timeform recorded the winning margin as 2½ lengths and listed Elnajmm with weight 9-7 and equipment notation Eq: (t), while Sahracing and the Dubai Racing Club described the margin as two and three‑quarter lengths. Timeform noted the race was run on Good turf and listed the field as 13 runners; Godolphin’s narrative described a 14‑runner field, and SkySports’ result page names a broad list of starters, leaving minor discrepancies in official starters and exact margin that the stewards’ chart will clarify.

Mysterious Night, the Charlie Appleby‑trained six‑year‑old and a Group 1 winner, finished second after tracking the pace and delivering a late challenge. Appleby commented on the toll of distance for his veteran campaigner: “Mysterious Night has run another solid race. The miles might just be catching up with him now, so that will probably be his last run. We wish him a happy retirement.” Godolphin’s account noted Mysterious Night had been seeking a fourth win over the course and distance and rallied to take second half a furlong out before Elnajmm quickened away.

Race build and early fractions were influenced by Audience and Dubai Treasure, with Godolphin reporting Dubai Treasure taking up the lead two furlongs from home before being reeled in by the chasing pack as Elnajmm, Mysterious Night and Chicago Critic moved through. SkySports lists Elnajmm in royal blue silks, Mysterious Night in black with a yellow chevron, and Dubai Treasure in peacock blue and old gold, visually mapping the key runners for the penultimate Dubai Racing Carnival meeting.

Ray Dawson’s victory on Elnajmm completed what Sahracing and the Dubai Racing Club called a clean sweep of the card’s two Group races, raising immediate questions about where Michael Costa will pitch a progressive 6‑year‑old who has now won a G2 and a G3 in Dubai this season. With an eye on the Carnival finale and bigger targets on the calendar, connections must now decide whether to press Elnajmm into top‑level company or consolidate his record in middle‑distance sprints as the Dubai campaign moves toward its climax.