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 cruised home under Pat Dobbs 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.

POLAR RIVER