Godolphin trainers have been to the fore in recent weeks as the Dubai World Cup Carnival is now in full flow and building up nicely to the climax to the season, at Meydan on March 26.
Godolphin trainers have been to the fore in recent weeks as the Dubai World Cup Carnival is now in full flow and building up nicely to the climax to the season, at Meydan on March 26.
Saeed bin Suroor, Charlie Appleby and Kiaran McLaughlin have all shipped in runners for the big Dubai races. Here, each Godolphin trainer, selects three to follow from his stable, and explains why:
SAEED BIN SUROOR
Steady Pace
bay colt 3yrs (Dark Angel - Cool Kitten)
This is a colt I have always regarded highly. He was 3rd in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, and late in the English season he finished 3rd in the G1 Middle Park Stakes. He is very consistent. At his first run on dirt at Meydan, he won the 2,000 Guineas Trial. I am happy with him. He is working very well.
Think Ahead
bay gelding 5yrs (Shamardal - Moonshadow)
He has won three of his nine starts, the most recent coming in a handicap, over 2,000m on Turf, at Meydan last Thursday, February 4. He is progressive, as well as being another who is remarkably consistent. I expected him to win last time, and I think he is now ready to step up to Group company.
Very Special
chesnut filly 4yrs (Lope de Vega - Danielli)
I think this filly is well named. She has won three of her six starts and never finished out of the first three. On her first run in Dubai, she won the G2 Cape Verdi in impressive style. Her next target is the G2 Balanchine on March 3. I believe she is physically looking better and that nine furlongs (1,800m) will be a better trip for her.
CHARLIE APPLEBY
Jungle Cat
bay colt 4yrs (Iffraaj - Mike's Wildcat)
This colt has done very well in Dubai. He came back after a long lay-off to win a Hhandicap on his first start at Meydan, giving every indication that he has recaptured his two-year-old form. And don't forget, he ran big races when placed in the G2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and the G2 Gimcrack Stakes at York in that his juvenile season in the UK. He goes now for the G3 Meydan Sprint on March 5, then the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on March 26.
Rouleau
bay colt 3yrs (Exceed And Excel - Rachelle)
He is a G3 winner over six furlongs in the UK - he won the Sirenia Stakes on the all-weather track at Kempton Park - and his record, three wins from eight starts, suggests he should do well in Meydan this winter. His second (to Steady Pace) in the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial was very good, and he is ready to step up in distance.
Safety Check
chesnut horse 5yrs (Dubawi - Doors To Manual)
This horse is ultra consistent. He ran a very good 3rd behind Toormore In in the G2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (UK) back in July, he was subsequently beaten at Doncaster, but then bounced back after a long rest to win first-up in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort at Meydan on January 21. He is in very good form, and I am hoping he can win again.
KIARAN McLAUGHLIN
Frosted
grey colt 4yrs (Tapit - Fast Cookie)
I am as happy as can be with him following his win in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 2) at Meydan last Thursday, Feb 4. He came out of the race so well. He was walking for a couple of days, but then we had to take him back on to the track. He won't run again before the Dubai World Cup on March 26. We're happy now to wait for the big night.
Marking
bay colt 4yrs (Bernardini - Seventh Street)
This is a very talented horse, who is ready to make his Dubai debut this week. He has won two of his three starts to date, and finished second to Runhappy, the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, in the G1 Malibu Stakes, over 7f on dirt, at Santa Anita on December 26 (Watershed finished 5th in the same race). I am really looking forward to him running again.
Watershed
bay colt 4yrs (Bernadini - Thousand Islands)
He ran on very strongly, late, when 3rd to stablemate Confrontation in the G3 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan last Thursday, February 4. He should improve, as this was only his fifth start. He came from last early in that race. I plan to run him back one more time before Dubai World Cup night.
