Local Time waits for no rival in UAE Oaks
GODOLPHIN PROSPECT AIMED AT UAE DERBY AND ENGLISH 1,000 GUINEAS
A surfeit of big-race options awaits Godolphin’s Local Time following the progressive filly’s resounding victory in the Group 3 UAE Oaks at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday evening.
Ridden confidently by Jamesh Doyle, the Saeed Bin Surourtrained daughter of Invincible Spirit looked every bit the class act she is when putting four-andthree-quarter lengths between her and South African filly Shahrasal in the 1,900-metre contest
Local Time was completing a UAE Classic double having previous won the 1,000 Guineas in similar fashion three weeks earlier. “She’s a very exciting prospect but we will have to wait and see where we take her next,” said her Emirati handler, who was recording his 10th success in the Oaks.
“We will consider the UAE Derby [G1, March 28], where she will obviously be taking on the colts, but we may even decide to take her back to England, where she could be aimed at the 1,000 Guineas. She can handle both the dirt and the turf, so that gives us plenty of options. She’s a very nice filly to have and she is improving with every run, so we have got to be hopeful with her. But no definite plans have been made at this point of time.”
Doyle, who was recording his 10th victory at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, was all praise for his filly, saying: “I was delighted with how things unfolded. She’s very uncomplicated and has got a good turn of foot. I know there’s was not much strength in depth in the race, but you can’t fault her.”
Big-race double
Godolphin went on to complete a big-race double when Safety Check notched a third success at Meydan this season with a comprehensive victory in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile under William Buick.
Safety Check’s handler Charlie Appleby revealed that the four-year-old son of Dubawi has completed his obligations in the Carnival and will return to his Newmarket base to prepare for the 2015 British racing season.
“This horse has really thrived since arriving in Dubai,” said Appleby. “I still feel he is better over 1,400 metres but he has certainly seen out the trip well tonight. William gave him a perfect ride and that will be him finished for the Carnival.
Buick was completing a double having already pocketed the Listed 1,600-metre Meydan Classic with Swedish-trained Volatile, who was providing trainer Jessica Long with her first UAE winner and the biggest of her career to date.