Team Godolphin flaunt winning spirit
Boys In Blue have leading chances in most of the races
The close bonding and winning spirit that has become the hallmark of Team Godolphin was very much in evidence as they entertained racing fans at Meydan Racecourse yesterday morning ahead tomorrow’s $30 million Dubai World Cup meeting.
And there were hundreds of them from around the world who had gathered at the traditional ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ on the racecourse lawns of to make the most of the once-in-alifetime opportunity to snatch selfies besides some of most celebrated jockeys and trainers.
As sets of horses worked on the dirt track Godolphin’s principal trainers, Saeed Bin Surour and Charlie Appleby, together with jockey William Buick, put on a show worthy of the global ambassadors that they have become.
“It’s always a great feeling to be the centre of attraction at such big events,” said Bin Surour, who is a consummate poser in his Godolphin blue jacket and baseball cap.
“We wouldn’t be who we are without the fans. Hopefully we can please them as well on Saturday with a couple of wins.”
Couple? Between them, Bin Surour and Appleby account for no less than five of the ‘favourites’ on the ninerace card.
“We have some nice horses, but so do some of the other trainers,” said Bin Surour, who singled out Benbatl as his best chance. “This is a horse we have always really liked and, hopefully, he is going to run a big race on Saturday.”
Appleby would also appear to have strong claims on Saturday, as he seeks to open his account on the big day.
The Englishman, who named UAE Derby (G1) favourite Gold Town as his best chance on the night, also saddles two promising sprinters, Blue Point and Jungle Cat in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1).
“I have not had a winner on Dubai World Cup night yet so that is on my bucket list. I say to all the lads that it is an achievement to get a horse to World Cup night and anything on top is a bonus.”
“[Gold Town] ticks a lot of boxes — he has home advantage, he has had two runs on the surface and is a Guineas Trial and a Guineas winner but is taking on a different calibre of horse this time. This is going to be a big step up for him but he goes into it in great order.”
Big race
Meanwhile, Andre Fabre, who was not present at Meydan, is hoping to gift Godolphin with an eighth Dubai World Cup trophy if Talismanic can provide him with a victory in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline on Saturday takes to the dirt.
“Talismanic has always been a very good horse but it will be his first attempt on the dirt,” admitted Fabre.
“I have to be fair, there is still a question mark about the surface. I didn’t want to run Talismanic and Cloth of Stars in the same race and Talismanic was in great shape, so I thought I’d line him up in this race.
“My feeling is that to run on dirt you need more strength. It is a surface that favours stamina and resistance more than speed. And Talismanic has the confirmation and the pedigree to act on this surface.”
Fabre concluded: “I don’t know what sort of chance he has, I have no idea. It is a big race with the horses from North America and Japan. It is very exciting, and I respect all the American horses, but there is no Curlin or Arrogate this year.”
SEEMAR EYES SENTIMENTAL VICYTORY
Satish Seemar had some good news to share with fans of Reynaldothewizard, the 12-year-old sprinting wonder of his pristine Zabeel Stables.
According to Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) rules Seemar will have to retire his horse before he turns 13. However, the former champion handler revealed yesterday, that he plans to give Reynaldothewizard his final hurrah at the start of the 20182019 UAE racing season which starts in November.
Reynaldothewizard will compete in tomorrow’s $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, and Seemar believes that he can even pull off a surprise if he runs his race.
“Everybody knows about Reynaldo, perhaps more than about any other horse in the UAE,” he said. “He’s got fan clubs everywhere, and when he’s entered, I get emails, messages and WhatsApps from around the world.
“He’s a very special horse for me and everyone at Zabeel Stables, simply because he’s been here the longest of any horse I’ve ever had.
“We know him inside out, from his mentality to his physical ability, and only want to race him two or three times a year,” Seemar added. “He’s a true professional, and always has been. Top-class athletes are very disciplined, and he’s like that in animal form. He loves his sleep and loves to go and train.
“We’ve never tried to change him, from the age of three when he came here from the US. Because of his experience and being the resident boss around the stable, he knows too much,” he added.
“So, sometimes we have to cheat him into doing his best work at home. We take him the other way round, or start him off at different positions on the track, for instance. He’s got our number, so we leave things to him. He knows that when we put on the blinkers, he’s supposed to do his best work.”
Under the Emirates Racing Authority rules he can’t go beyond the age of 13, so this could be his last World Cup meeting, although I’ve heard that if he runs well to the end of this year, he can complete the season. But let’s see what happens on Saturday first,” concluded Seemar.
Exciting times
Meanwhile, Richard Mullen, Seemar’s stable jockey who will be aboard Reynaldo just as he has all through the years, is looking forward to partnering North America in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.
“You’ve got to get him out [quick]. That’s the main thing for me,” said Mullen. “We’ve got the draw [Post 2[, so the main thing now is break well and ease him into a rhythm.
“He is a big striding horse and that’s what he likes to do. And getting Gate 2 just makes my life easier. These are exciting times for us.”
Mullen whose first major win came with Grazalema in the 2000 Al Fahidi Fort, is now eyeing the top prize with a horse he describes as a naturally front-runner.
“Things are much easier when a jockey has Gates 1, 2 or 3 compared to Gates 6, 7 or 8 where you are required to work harder because the first bend comes up very quick. It just makes life a bit easier. You get into a nice rhythm earlier than you might have to if you’re drawn wider. That means you’ve used a bit more energy to get over to get your position early. I couldn’t be happier with the draw,” Mullen explained.
Satish Seemar | Trainer