Quick turnaround no issue for Mysterious Night in G2 Al Fahidi Fort

Mysterious Night registered a second victory in the space of seven days at Meydan as he bravely quickened between horses to capture the G2 Al Fahidi Fort on Friday, 26 January.

Making a rapid return after dominating in a handicap over the same seven-furlong trip, the Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old settled on the inside rail in third behind Majestic Pride and Danyah.

Mysterious Night appeared full of running entering the straight, although William Buick had to angle his mount between the leading duo to deliver his challenge over a furlong out.

The 2022 G1 Summer Stakes winner displayed a swift turn of foot after finding a clear passage, hitting the front approaching the final half-furlong before pulling away for a length verdict.

Charlie Appleby said: “The key thing with Mysterious Night was last week – he was a G1 horse in a handicap and gained so much confidence from getting his head back in front in a comfortable manner.

“The team have done a great job of freshening him as best they could during the week. Again, he came here tonight as the class horse in the race and the question mark was whether last week had taken enough out of him to jeopardise his chance.

“His homework has always been good, and we have been trying to get his head back in front before stepping up through the grades. Like in any walk of life, confidence is a big thing, and he gained plenty of it last week.

“He has an entry in the 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia or he could come back here for the Ras Al Khor on Super Saturday.”

William Buick said: “Mysterious Night is such a strong traveller. The gap looked like it was opening and then closing a little bit, but I was already coming into it.

“It was a great training performance by Charlie and the team to bring him back only seven days after his win here last week.

“He is a horse that was held in high regard as a two-year-old, so I am delighted that he is showing us what he is capable of. He has done well today and hopefully is still on the up.”