The UAE 1000 Guineas Trial is usually a first look at stakes-level sophomore fillies in Dubai and has often been an unveiling of possible future stars. 

Such was the case once again on Thursday night at Meydan Racecourse when Godolphin's Saeed bin Suroor-trained Soft Whisper let the secret out with a 2 1/2-length win in the seven-furlong conditions affair. 

Stalking comfortably in mid-pack throughout the first three furlongs, the daughter of Dubawi from the family of European Horse of the Year Peintre Celebre tipped out under confident Pat Cosgrave handling, gobbled up ground on front-running Jumeirah Beach and then put away that foe, while holding off a pair of stablemates who filled out the trifecta, Last Sunset and Final Thought. Satish Seemar-trained first-time starter Al Maroom ran on respectably for fourth. 

Expected favourite Super Chianti was scratched earlier in the day, but will likely line up against the winner in the UAE 1000 Guineas (Listed) in three weeks or the UAE Oaks (G3) thereafter. 

The final time was 1:26.72 for the 1400m and the victory improved her record to three wins and two seconds from five starts. 

"She just took a little time to sort of get her act together," Cosgrave said. "She's improved race by race. I really thought she'd win today. I didn't think so after 50 yards for a stride or two--things weren't going to plan--but those good horses usually get out of trouble. I was trying to find the right horse to take me into the race and luckily enough it worked out nicely.

"The good thing about her is she got a little bit of sand in her face and she faced it," Cosgrave continued. "She had to work hard, which isn't always ideal. She'll improve plenty. I think going a mile she'll be better. She's a nice filly. It took me until the 800m to pull her up. She's by Dubawi and they get better with racing and she's a nice, big, scopey filly." 

RACE 1 (18:30) - Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G1) (1600m PA)

The evening's festivities kicked off with a smart renewal of the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over one mile for Purebred Arabians and was won in grinding style by Yas Racing's longshot Brraq , who gave trainer Jean-Claude Pecout his first significant local victory as a trainer. Ridden patiently by Adrie de Vries, the 8-year-old son of Mahabb won for the third time in nine starts.

An eye-catching performance saw Fettah du Loup finish second, three-quarters of a length back and 3 1/2 lengths clear of race favourite AF Alwajel. The final time for the 1600m was 1:47.07

"It's our first Group 1 winner,"Pecout said. "Jean de Roualle told me he was a very good horse and today he won in a Group 1. I am very happy." 

Previous trainer De Roualle was on hand to support and represent owner HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, adding: "He's not an easy horse to train and Jean-Claude did a marvelous job. To be honest with you, he decided to run at Meydan and obviously I would not have done it--so congratulations to him." 

RACE 2 (19:05) - Longines Spirit Collection Trophy (1200m Hcp 80-100)

Sprinters took focus in the second race over the 1200m course and distance of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in just a couple months' time. What was expected to be a showpiece for brilliantly quick sprinter Lavaspin  quickly deflated in the final 100m, with hardened three-time Listed winner Taamol  giving trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and owner HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum their first of three respective victories on the evening. 

Closing strongly from his stalking position, the son of Helmet stopped the clock in 1:11.74 by one length over up-and-coming sprinter Dark Silver. It was another three-quarters back to Lavaspin in third. Connor Beasley was aboard the victor, his first of two wins on the night. Taamol won for the sixth time in 32 starts. 

"He's a horse who's run over a little further distance and I had it in the back of my mind that there was going to be a lot of pace in the race," Beasley said. "I just wanted to get into good position and I knew he would probably pick up and always getting to the line. Travelling into the race, I latched onto Lavaspin, because I knew he was the one to beat in the race. He took a few lengths off me and I wasn't sure I would peg him back, but once I got into top flight, (Taamol) went about his job really nice." 

RACE 3 (19:40) - Longines Spirit Collection Cup (1800mT Hcp 90-105)

The first turf race of the season was contested over nine furlongs (1800m) around one sweeping turn of Meydan's monstrous grass oval and resulted in a quick back-up for the connections of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and Connor Beasley (as well as sire Helmet) when Eqtiraan  went gate-to-wire in emphatic style. 

Setting a leisurely pace, the bay 7-year-old gelding improved upon a fourth last out Listed company at Abu Dhabi. The winner that day, Boerhan, could only manage 11th of 12 in this. The final margin was four lengths with market favourite Cape Cavalli giving trainer Simon Crisford and jockey William Buick a suitable beginning to the season. It was a head back to Lucius Tiberius in third, as the field finished up in 1:48.71. The win was Eqtiraan's third from 26 starts. 

"I thought there was going to be a little more pace on," Beasley said. "Obviously I had a nice gate in three and he sprung the lids and I got into a lovely rhythm. Just before we turned in, I asked him to up his game a little bit and once I asked him the question once I was really straightened up, he quickened up really nicely. He was probably waiting on a little bit of company, but I just wanted to keep the rhythm and momentum going." 

RACE 5 (20:50) - Longines Spirit Collection Mile (1600m Hcp 90-104)

Dirt milers got a chance to hopefully throw their hat into the Carnival ring (which kicks off in two weeks) over the G2 Godolphin Mile's layout of a dog-legged, one-turn 1600m. Hypothetical , donning the colours of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, tracked favourite Alkaamel throughout before challenging that foe turning for home and pressing on to a 3 1/2-length victory under Mickael Barzalona. Alkaamel, under Antonio Fresu, was another four lengths ahead of Blown by Wind.

The final time was 1:38.03, giving the 4-year-old son of Lope de Vega his second tally from five tries and first in the UAE in his initial run for conditioner Salem bin Ghadayer. He was previously trained in the UK by John Gosden. 

"I was really impressed because he's a very immature horse," Barzalona said. "He didn't get upset during the race when he was under pressure and he really showed some good stamina in the end. I think we need to school him over a mile first of all and I really think he could be a 10-furlong horse."

RACE 6 (21:25) - Longines Spirit Collection Challenge (1000mT Hcp 80-94)

The card ended with a rush as turf sprinters got their first look at the straight Meydan chute this season, dashing five furlongs in front of the grandstand. Still, it was the farthest away, Etisalat , who skirted up the inside rail to victory under Sandro Paiva for HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi.

The winner finished a half-length to the good of favourite Dahawi, who veered right in the final furlong, essentially losing the race in the process. Raakezz finished well to be third, another 1 1/4 lengths back. The final time was a smart 56.92 seconds for 1000m, giving the victorious son of Lethal Force his fourth win from 23 starts. 

In the process, Al Rayhi had his 15th win of the season--enough to tie Doug Watson atop the UAE standings.