GODOLPHIN STEALS SHOW ON SUPER SATURDAY
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attending the Super Saturday racing event at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Godolphin won four of seven races on the biggest race day prior to the Dubai World Cup. —
dubai — Godolphin may have missed out the piece de resistance — the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 with Thunder Snow upstaged by Capezzano, but the racing operation were still dominant on the night, racking up four wins out of seven races on Super Saturday.
The Meydan Racecourse was packed to the rafters with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in attendance.
And Godolphin’s British handler Charlie Appleby conjured a treble of triumphs, while Emirati saddler Saeed bin Suroor, the most successful trainer at the Dubai World Cup with eight wins, winning one race.
Appleby, who was named the International Trainer of the Year for a third successive year last season, saw UAE Oaks winner Divine Image clinch the Al Bastakiya Listed race, a prep for the UAE Derby, with Brett Doyle.
After that, William Buick piloted King’s Stand Stakes champion Blue Point to victory in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, a dress rehearsal for the Al Quoz Sprint.
Appleby the saddled Old Persian, with Buick onboard, to victory in the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold, which is a prep for the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Saeed bin Suroor then rounded off the night with him and Soumillon leading Dream Castle to victory in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, the last race of the night and a rehearsal for the Dubai Turf. And it was a Godolphin clean sweep with Appleby’s Wootton and First Contact finishing second and third under Buick and Barzalona respectively.
“That’s what we’ve seen from her. She’s a great finisher,” Appleby said of the three-year-old Chestnut filly Divine Image, who won by 7.25 lengths over Superior.
“Full credit to the team. She’s been tricky, but Brett’s been riding her the last two weeks since we knew William couldn’t do the weight. I’m delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed who is here this evening to see her. She’s a very talented filly, but she’s learning on the job and this was a team effort tonight.
“Before the race we had the discussion of if she were to win, we wouldn’t rush into (making a decision about the UAE Derby).
“It’s definitely on the cards, but we also have the Kentucky Oaks to take into consideration,” a delighted Appleby added.