Another important collection of races for Godolphin horses awaits analysis this weekend. Yet again, it is a case of make or break in a variety of tests globally.
Another important collection of races for Godolphin horses awaits analysis this weekend. Yet again, it is a case of make or break in a variety of tests globally.
The stable's reputation for being a major player internationally has never been more pronounced as G1 races in Melbourne, Newmarket (UK) and Keeneland this weekend will measure the progress or otherwise of key horses carrying the famous royal blue silks.
At Caulfield, Melbourne, the multiple G1 winner Contributer attempts to reinforce his claims as a serious contender for the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 24 when he faces high class opposition in the G1 Caulfield Stakes.
In two runs in Melbourne so far this Spring, the 2015 Australian Champion Middle Distance Horse of Year, Contributer, has failed to make headlines. But trainer John O'Shea has maintained the English import is working nicely towards his principal target and he still regards him very highly.
"It is all about peaking on the big day with this fellow, and I believe he will," O'Shea said. "The Caulfield Stakes looks a suitable race to progress him further, and it should be a good guide for the Cox Plate. There are some very good horses in the field," he pointed out.
Kermadec, a son of Darley stallion Teofilo, is among the most promising weight-for-age horses to have emerged in Australia in the past six months. He is favourite this weekend to continue his good run of late.
But old-timer Fawkner continues to run well and looks ready to make his presence felt, while Criterion, fresh from his European campaign, will find it easier on home soil. If Contributer can finish in the first three, he will remain firmly on course for the Valley in two weeks.
Several hours later, in Suffolk UK, Godolphin's key hope of Classic glory in 2016, Emotionless, faces his biggest test, in the G1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes on Newmarket's Rowley Mile. He comes up against the Ballydoyle contender Air Force Blue as well as five other rivals.
Emotionless ran right up to expectations when easily winning Doncaster's Champagne Stakes at his last start, and he has continued to please Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby at home. A day visit to the Newmarket's Rowley Mile last week was deemed a great success and the colt is ready to go.
Air Force Blue looks a tough opponent while His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum has both Massaat and Tashweeq in the field, with retained jockey Paul Hanagan expressing a preference for Massaat.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is represented by Adventurous, who finished a creditable third to the Jim Bolger-trained Sanus Per Aquam in the Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket last start. Both colts again take their chance over course and distance.
On the same Newmarket card, the second day of the Dubai Future Champions Festival Meeting, Godolphin's Move Up has excellent prospects in the Listed Zetland Stakes for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
The third leg of Godolphin's international quest this Saturday rests with the promising filly Sentiero Italia, who lines up in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, at Keeneland, Kentucky.
Kiaran McLaughlin has been painstaking in bringing this filly to her peak, and if all continues to go well, she is a possible for the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf back at Keeneland at the end of the month.
She is currently three from three over the nine-furlong distance and has good credentials for this feature race.
