by Myra Lewyn

Gladiatorus earned a second straight triumph at Nad al Sheba in dominating fashion on Thursday after leading most of the way and notching a comfortable victory in the $250,000 Commercial Bank of Dubai Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-G2) as he continues on the comeback trail.
 
The four-year-old Silic (Fr) colt won his first group stakes as he scored by 5¾ lengths from South African multiple Group 1 winner Hunting Tower. He covered 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:36.67 on turf rated as good.

Gladiatorus looked to be a rising star in Europe as a two-year-old in 2007, winning four stakes before he was sidelined for 16 months after a close runner-up finish in the Gran Criterium (Ity-G1) that fall at San Siro Racecourse.

Gladiatorus made a triumphant return to racing on January 22 for a new owner and trainer. He handily dispatched South African champion and 2008 Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) winner Jay Peg after the opening quarter and drew clear to a 2½-length victory in the 1,500-meter (7.46-furong) Jaguar XF Trophy for trainer Mubarak bin Shafya and owner Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed al Maktoum, the youngest son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

With Royston Ffrench at the reins on Thursday, Gladiatorus was eager to race and sprinted to the early lead before powering clear 600 meters out. Hunting Tower tracked from third under Frankie Dettori, but at the halfway point it was evident the victory would belong to Galdiatorus.

“I was never concerned; the trainer said he was a really nice horse and to ride him confidently from the front,” Ffrench said. “It has certainly worked well!”

English group-placed stakes winner Blue Ksar finished third, 1½ lengths behind Hunting Tower. Traffic Guard, runner-up in the 2008 Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-G1), finished sixth in the seven-horse field.

Gladiatorus has won eight of 11 career starts. The bay colt is a nominee to the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) on March 28 at Nad al Sheba.

Kentucky-bred Gladiatorus, a half brother to Italian stakes winner My Sweet Baby, is out of the unraced Kris mare Gmaasha. His grandam is Irish classic winner Al Bahathri.

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Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor