Once More Dubai swooped late to prevail in the third leg of the Meydan Masters, the Meydan City Corporation Handicap on Friday, March 5, with stable companion Firebet third in the 11-furlong Tapeta event.
The five-year-old son of E Dubai, slightly awkward leaving the stalls, was settled towards the rear of the 13 runners by Kent Desormeaux.
He was switched down the centre of the course entering the straight and began to make relentless progress.
Despite only being seventh at the distance, Once More Dubai flew home, taking the lead from the front-running Firebet and Salute Him with less than half a furlong left.
Once More Dubai won by a length and a quarter in 2m 15.78s.
Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, said: "He won easily which was very pleasing."
Firebet broke smartly under Olivier Peslier and raced in second after the first furlong prior to taking a definite lead after the first quarter-mile.
He was asked to extend with a furlong and a half left to race. The four-year-old Dubai Destination colt rallied gamely when pressed on his outside by Salute Him passing the furlong-pole but was headed by the Tony Martin-trained runner and Once More Dubai, going down by a length and three quarters in total.
Godolphin had two other runners. Burdlaz was held up in second last after the first two furlongs. He stayed on after being switched off the inside rail nearing the furlong-marker and was a never-nearer eighth under Nirohiro Yokoyama.
Soy Libriano, partnered by Ryan Moore, was prominent in fifth before dropping back to mid-division. He was ridden along but weakened out of contention and finished last of the 12 runners.