There was a good deal of Australian interest in the results of the two Grou II features at Meydan on Friday.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Zakouski (GB), a half-brother to the Group III ATC Up & Coming Stakes winner and Group 1 ATC Golden Rose Stakes runner-up Albrecht, captured the Group II Al Rashidiya stakes (1800m)
It was the third Meydan victory from four starts for the son of Lonhro's unraced sister Giselle, who captured last year's Group II Zabeel Mile.
Zakouski (GB) advanced his record to five wins and a second from eight starts.
"We have stepped up in trip this year and will probably look at the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday as his final Carnival start this year," Appleby said.
Besides Albrecht, the son of Shamardal is a half brother to the Group III Prix Thomas Bryon winner King's Command (Dubawi).
The Group II Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 was won by a German-bred son of the champion Sepoy.
Salute The Soldier (GER) staked his claim for the Dubai World Cup on March 27 following his win by a length.
The winner of the Group III Burj Nahaar Stakes and races at Ascot and Goodwood, Salute The Soldier is trained by Bahraini Fawzi Nass.
He is another with a consistent record with seven wins, five seconds and three thirds from 20 starts.
"Things had not gone to plan in two runs so far this season so we decided to step him up in trip, and it has worked perfectly," de Vries said.
"We went a good early pace, but I was keen to pressure Mickael (Barzalona, on Capezzano) quite early and then my horse really picked up well.
"Perhaps we can look at the 2,000 meters and Dubai World Cup.
The son of Sepoy is the best of five winners from seven to race out of the unraced Street Cry (IRE) mare Street Fire.
