Monaghan opens Dubai account Marc Monaghan secured his first winner of this year's Carnival aboard Gold City in Smka Trophy Handicap at Meydan. The apprentice rider achieved the memorable success in fine style as the Satish Seemar-trained 6/1 shot stretched two and quarter lengths clear of My Freedom. Monaghan said: "He's been improving, he ran a nice race in Jebel Ali and then backed it up here on his last run. "The form of that race is working out very well - Eastern Rules has won twice since, he was third and our horse was second - so by the book, you'd have fancied him. He's doing everything right." Leading Classic hope Ihtimal predictably proved far too good for her opponents as she produced a scintillating display in the UAE Oaks. Saeed bin Suroor's Godolphin filly showed her class in Britain as a juvenile, claiming the Sweet Solera at Newmarket and the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster before finishing third behind the ill-fated Chriselliam in the Fillies' Mile. The three-year-old made a sparkling Dubai debut in the UAE 1000 Guineas three weeks ago and was a 4/11 favourite to follow up under Silvestre de Sousa, stepping up to an extended nine furlongs for the first time. Ihtimal was a little keen off a slow pace, but had too many gears for her opponents in the straight, coming home 10 lengths clear. The horses placed in the UAE 1000 Guineas filled the frame again, but swapped places. Guineas third Feedyah claimed the runner-up spot, with Guineas second Mensoora third on this occasion. Bin Suroor said: "I'm very happy. Every time she runs she shows some class. "When she won the Guineas, we decided to run her in this race. It looked easy tonight for her, but as for future plans, we'll see how she comes back, then we'll talk to Sheikh Mohammed and he will decide. She has the class and the trip suited her tonight." De Sousa told Sky Sports: "She has come on a lot from the last time she ran. "She can only beat what is in the field and she did it in great fashion." Paddy Power left Ihtimal unchanged at 12/1 for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4.
