Godolphin look to Winter Lightning and Expressiy to maintain success

Godolphin have dominated the Dubai World Cup Carnival up to now and they will hope for more of the same at Meydan Racecourse tonight.

The Dubai-based global racing operation, who have racked up 24 Carnival victories out of the 52 races so far, have 16 horses entered in the seven races making up the latest meeting.

Among those competing are Winter Lightning and Expressiy in Race 3, the Group 3 UAE Oaks, tonight’s feature race.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Winter Lightning was a winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas three weeks ago and she is joined by Charlie Appleby’s Expressiy.

“Expressiy has progressed with each run in Dubai and the step up in trip is going to suit her,” Appleby told Godolphin’s website.

“We feel that she has done well since she ran in the UAE 1,000 Guineas and she should be closer to the two fillies [Winter Lightning and Rayya] that beat her.”

Winter Lightning has gone from strength to strength in her two local starts. She edged out Rayya by a nose in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial and was two lengths in front of her rival three weeks later.

The 1,900-metre race has drawn only six runners and the Doug Watson-trained Rayya seems the one again to provide the challenge for the Godolphin pair.

Godolphin have three entered in Race 5, the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

Bin Suroor has a pair entered with Natural Scenery and Red Galileo, and Appleby’s Rare Rhythm, winner of his past two starts in England, will be making his local debut.

“Red Galileo ran well last time and I am hoping for another good run from him, although it will very tough to beat a horse like Vazirabad,” Bin Suroor said. “Natural Scenery was a little disappointing on her latest start, but came out of that race well and is ready to go.

“I am looking for a better performance from her this time.”

Vazirabad, trained in France by Alain De Royer-Dupre, is taking a similar path that won him the Dubai Gold Cup.

The six-year-old gelding was runner up in this race last year before successful on the Dubai World Cup meeting last year.

Godolphin are double handed in Race 2, the Listed Meydan Classic with Appleby saddling Zaman and Bin Suroor sending out Racing Country, who was tailed off in the UAE 2,000 Guineas last month.

“Racing Country has been disappointing so far out in Dubai and hasn’t been showing a lot on the racecourse this year.” Bin Suroor said.

“We are giving him a final chance at the Carnival and I hope he can run a better race.”