There is nothing like a Classic appearing on the horizon to spur a top trainer into identifying the best prospects in his stable, and then stepping up their workload in preparation for the long-term target.
There is nothing like a Classic appearing on the horizon to spur a top trainer into identifying the best prospects in his stable, and then stepping up their workload in preparation for the long-term target.
After more than two decades as a successful Godolphin trainer, Saeed bin Suroor knows exactly what is required to win those Classics, whether they are taking place in Europe or Dubai. And timing is everything, in order to pull it off.
Saeed will saddle the top-rated contenders in both the UAE 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas trials at Meydan tonight (Thursday, 14th January), and their performances will provide an accurate yardstick to his stable's progress in the build-up to the key three-year-olds races in coming months.
Both versions of the UAE Guineas are scheduled to be run in four weeks - on February 11 - and the 'Trials' are traditionally the best pointer.
Steady Pace, who is rated 112 officially, is very exposed for such a young horse. He ran in a series of top two-year-old races last year, and while not winning any of the 'majors', he acquitted himself very well in all of them.
The son of Dark Angel finished third in Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, second in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket, third in the G2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, a creditable fifth in York's G2 Gimcrack Stakes, and finally, third in the G1 Middle Park Stakes.
He was consistent throughout the season, and the step up to 1,400m (7 furlongs) on dirt, while an interesting challenge, is a logical step at this early stage of the year. He sets the standard in a race in which several have yet to realise their potential.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Rouleau is the other Godolphin entry in the race. He won his maiden at Wolverhampton in the UK last June and progressed to success in the G3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park. He has ability and must be respected.
English trainer Tom Dascombe will saddle Calder Prince, another son of Dark Angel, who remains unbeaten after two outings.
In the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial, Saeed relies on Promising Run, the mount of James Doyle. This Hard Spun filly won two of her four starts in her two-year-old season, including the G2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket by a comfortable margin.
But she was well beaten in the G1 Dubai Fillies' Mile at her only subsequent run, a performance that seemed out of character. Pure Diamond, with William Buick in the saddle, is the other Godolphin contender.
Almashooqa, trained by Mike de Kock, showed her potential when second in South Africa's G1 Golden Slipper, and she is a most interesting runner, as, too, is the Doug Watson-trained Polar River, who won her maiden at Meydan by 13 and a half lengths.
In Australia this weekend, Godolphin jockey James McDonald has a full book of nine rides at Royal Randwick, including the well-regarded Painted Firetail in the Top Ideal SCM Handicap. His old rival Hugh Bowman will be in opposition following a long break from Sydney racing.
In Melbourne, Godolphin's Sarajevo faces eight rivals in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington. Craig Williams is to take the ride.
