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Following multiple Group 1 placings last season Believing made a winning start for new connections Coolmore and Resolute Racing when taking the six-furlong Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint.

Trained by Newmarket-based handler George Boughey and ridden by jockey William Buick, who secured the ride following Coolmore retained rider Ryan Moore having stable commitments in Sydney, Believing struck for the first time in Group 1 company.

Although the daughter of Mehmas was unable to break through at the top-level last season, she recorded three consecutive placings in Group 1 events across Europe, including a narrow defeat in the G1 Nunthorpe at York. Although the mare travelled to the Breeders' Cup in November, she was withdrawn before the start after misbehaving in the stalls.

Purchased by Coolmore at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale for more than £3 million, Believing came into the race as part of a four-strong attack from British-trained runners, and she triumphed in glorious style.

Settled near the front of the field by Buick, Believing was always travelling well and kept on in the closing stages to record a determined three-quarter length success over Japan's Win Carnelian, with Regional a further short head back in third.

Always behind the leaders with Japanese challenger Win Carnelian dictating the pace, it was clear at the quarter mile Believing and fellow British challenger Regional were the only horses that represented a possible danger.

William Buick, who won the race in 2019 riding the now highly successful stallion, Blue Point, was at this point beginning to get Believing to respond, and she maintained her run along the inside rail to reach the lead in the shadows of the post.

Win Carnelian hung on bravely for second, just ahead of Regional, with the trio well clear of the remainder.

"George was really bullish about her before the race; her prep has been faultless," said Buick.

"This is a lucky spare ride for me. Ryan [Moore] was meant to ride her. Obviously, he was in Australia this morning, I stepped in.

"The filly was very tough. She really deserved to get that Group 1. She showed there what she's all about, she really knuckled down. Fair play to George in his team for having her in tip-top shape for tonight."

With Boughey and his partner at home awaiting the birth of their first child, assistant trainer Henry Morshead was at Meydan and said:

"Her preparation into this has been very strong and her gate-work has been good all winter, which was a concern coming from Del Mar last time.

"But God she's tough, she really sticks her head down, she's a real testament to the hard work everyone puts in at home."

"It's hugely special and Coolmore are unbelievably straightforward to deal with. We're hugely honoured to have her in the yard this year as a five-year-old."

Of the beaten British runners, jockey Callum Rodriguez, who rode Regional into third, said:

"Good run. He's a horse that wears his heart on his sleeve, and he's done just that tonight. First run of the year; hopefully, he can take a step forward for it. I was sort of the meat in the sandwich; I was the horse between the two horses competing for the win, and my horse really stuck his head out and was brave."

West Acre finished eighth, and jockey Callum Shepherd was disappointed in the run:

"He's much better than that. Maybe he just showed signs of the extent of winter. Don't judge him on that."

Audience was second last, and jockey Robert Havlin reflected: "He's got enough tactical speed to be competitive to a point at the six furlongs. But he gets lost in the middle part of those races and then stays on again towards the end."