Indian sprint sensation Oasis Star went down fighting to So Shiny in the opening race at Meydan on Friday. A winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas at last year’s Dubai Carnival, So Shiny was a first success at Meydan for Jerry Barton, who saddled six winners at the 2009 Carnival.

So Shiny battled on strongly in the hands of Olivier Peslier to win the race in a tight finish. The Jerry Barton-trained 14-1 chance was always handily placed and stayed on best in the straight to overtake the front-running Frosty Secret close home.

Much of the pre-race hype surrounded Indian mare Oasis Star, who is something of a sensation in India, and was sent off the9-4 favorite. She finished with real purpose to collar Frosty Secret (8-1) for the runner-up spot.

It was a brilliant performance by C D Katrak trained Oasis Star who was running for the first time on the newly laid Tapeta Track and was negotiating the left handed track. Jockey Y S Srinath who was struck a fine understanding with the five-year old mare who has won Gr 1 Sprinters Cup back to back in record timings. Oasis Star is owned by Shapoor Mistry and his partners and was bred at the Manjri Stud Farm.

For Video click here