Godolphin optimistic of Promising Run’s prospects at Meydan meet
Godolphin’s horses are out in force again for the third Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting at Meydan Racecourse today.
The Dubai racing operation have 10 entered across six races in the eight-card meeting with the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Promising Run carrying their hopes in the night’s featured Group 2 Cape Verdi for fillies and mares.
The Hard Spun mare has campaigned in Europe and in Dubai, finishing runner-up in the UAE 1000 Guineas in 2016 on dirt and claiming the Group 2 Al Rashidiya on turf the following year.
She returns to the track for her third DWC Carnival meeting after a summer campaign in England, where she finished fourth at Goodwood and third at the Lingfield’s all-weather turf in two Listed starts. “She’s runs in a very tough race, but she always acts better than what we see her at work,” Bin Suroor said at the Godolphin Media Breakfast at the Al Quoz Stables yesterday.
“She goes well fresh, as she showed last year in the Al Rashidiya, and has blossomed since arriving back in Dubai where the weather clearly suits her.” Patrick Cosgrave, who rode Promising Run in her last two starts in England, retains the ride.
Meanwhile, Mike de Kock sends out Smiling Blue Eyes. “She is a nice filly and this was always her first target,” the South African trainer said.
“She will improve for the run but has been going nicely in the mornings.”
Opal Tiara spearheads the three runners from England which include Singyoursong and Absolute Blast.
Opal Tiara was fourth behind Godolphin’s Benbatl in the Group 3 Singspiel at Meydan two weeks ago. She was second in Cape Verdi last year before winning the 1,800 metres Group 2 Balanchine.
“She made a very pleasing return and, hopefully, is spot on for Thursday,” her trainer Mick Channon said. “We came straight to this race last year but decided to have a prep this time and it seems to have done her the power of good.”
Bin Suroor is double handed in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, Division 2, with Racing Country over Moqarrab.
Racing Country raced twice in England, finishing fifth and fourth in his two career starts. He runs in the second of the two Trials, the sixth race.
“I brought him to Dubai to give him a chance to run on the dirt and see how he acts,” Bin Suroor said.
“In his workouts in the mornings, he’s doing well on the dirt. He runs over 1,400m in the Trials but ideally the Guineas distance of 1,600m would suit him better.
“We have Natural Scenery and Red Galileo in the third race. Red Galileo won this race last year. We are running them both to choose which one would go for the Gold Cup [at the Dubai World Cup meeting].
“I like the chances of Natural Scenery. She’s run some good races and been consistent.”