Heat is on Benbatl in German G1 quest

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is hoping it rains in Munich before Benbatl lines up for Sunday’s G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis-Bayerisches Zuchtrennen, which the colt is using as a stepping stone to Melbourne.

Heatwave conditions prevail in Germany — and other parts of Europe — but a field of 10 has been declared for this mile and a quarter contest, often a key G1 race prior to Baden-Baden in September and Arc weekend in Paris in October.

Saeed sounded his concern about the weather and its possible effect on the Munich track this weekend.

“The temperature was 48C in Germany on Thursday,” the trainer pointed out.

“It was even hotter than Dubai at this time of the year. I am hoping they get some rain prior to the race,” he added. Benbatl is one of the most talented in Saeed’s yard, having finished fifth in the G1 Derby at Epsom and second in York’s G2 Dante Stakes as a three-year-old.

While at four, the son of Dubawi won three of his four starts at Meydan, including the G1 Dubai Turf, prior to being shipped back to Britain. He disappointed when 10th in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the trainer believes the ground was too fast for Benbatl’s liking.

“He has worked well since and I am pleased with him. Any rain in Germany would help,” Saeed added.

Those sentiments are likely to be shared by connections of rivals Stormy Antarctic, who prefers it on the soft side, and last year’s winner Iquitos, who beat only two home in the G1 Japan Cup on Firm ground last November.

Oisin Murphy, who partnered Benbatl to victory in the Dubai Turf, is back in the saddle.

Saeed has already reported that this German contest may act as Benbatl’s stepping stone to a clash with Australia’s champion mare Winx in the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday, 27 October.

“We will see how he goes in Germany. It is possible he could then have one more run before going into quarantine for the trip to Australia,” he added.