Think Ahead Delivers Fourth Godolphin Success Tonight

Think Ahead's victory in the final race at Meydan on Thursday, February 4, the 10-furlong EGA Casthouse Trophy Handicap on turf, provided Godolphin with a fourth success on the night.

The consistent five-year-old son of Shamardal gave trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey James Doyle a double, following Very Special's easy win in the mile G2 Cape Verdi Sponsored By EGA on turf.

Think Ahead improved after the start to sit second behind the leader and took over the advantage with a furlong and a half remaining.

He got first run and held on well to beat Elleval by a half-length in 2m 2.77s.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: "Very Special won her Group Two race well.

"Her best form previously had been on the All-Weather so it is good to see her perform on turf.

"We will step Very Special up in trip to nine furlongs for the Balanchine (G2, March 3).

"Think Ahead needed the race last time when he finished third on the dirt. It was good to watch him win and we will see how he comes out of the race before making any plans."

James Doyle added: "Think Ahead came on for his run last time. He did everything right first time out and just got tired in the last furlong. He was something like eight kilograms lighter tonight so that run put him together nicely.

"We had a nice run round from a wide draw today and I got a good sit. It was a nice pace and we got first jump on them. He galloped out well to the line.

"He is not a horse with a great turn of foot and just lengthens away. You can feel them snapping at his heels but he is quite tough. The track was not as firm as it can be tonight and that also helped him.

"He definitely acted on the dirt last time so we can play with that. He is very versatile. We looked at this race and it looked winnable."

Godolphin's other two successes came with horses brought over from America by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Both Frosted (G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Sponsored By EGA) and Confrontation (G3 Firebreak Stakes Sponsored By EGA) won impressively under William Buick and they are on target respectively for the US$10-million G1 Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race, and the US$1-million G2 Godolphin Mile on March 26.