Will Heavy Metal Speed Past Brave Zolo
Godolphin owned Bravo Zolo is in great form to go head-to-head with the speedy Heavy Metal. Surprise entry Cosmo Charlie was gelded a few weeks back. “We gelded him six weeks ago and I think now he’s doing great fitness-wise and come around pretty quick” Watson continued. “He doesn’t like kickback, so the draw will be very important for him, especially with Heavy Metal back in there again.”
Originally the Watson Trained horse was entered in last Thursday’s Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (G2) over 1900m, but later was rerouted to the 1600m Firebreak after fellow RamzanKadyrovcolourbearer North America was declared in.
“He’s 100% to run in the Firebreak,” Watson said. “I didn’t want him and North America, with similar running styles, to take each other on, plus Heavy Metal was in there, who has a lot of speed. I also thought that a mile may be better (in the Firebreak).
Other participants include Son of Forestry, Fantastic Four,S. Ghadayer trained Richard Pankhurst and son of Sky Mesa, Nobelium.
“Fantastic Four will have a crack in the Gr2 Firebreak Stakes on dirt over 1600m.” says trainer Neil Bruss. He also reports that Bernard worked Fantastic Four this morning and is very happy with the feel they gave him.
Godolphin has won the Balanchine three times thus far and this year they have a very ‘promising’ Promising Run participating in the event. The Daughter of Hard Spun will go up against last year’s winner Opal Tiara. The filly trained by Mike Channon has not had great results in the last three starts but is still the reigning champion of this race.
The 1800m Balanchine (T)is also known as the Balanchine Stakes is named after Balanchine, a horse who won The Oaks and the Irish Derby in 1994.
Another horse to give Godolphin a run for their money is Tiaemah. Ridden by Frankie Dettori himself, the daughter of Premium Tap comes with three straight wins under her belt.
“Tiaemah will contest the Balanchine Fillies. She’s won her last three in a row and she’s flying right now. I think she’d give a really good account of herself,” says Bruss of his other charge.
Saturday will also host other five Handicap races along with the Firebreak Stakes and Balanchine. The 1600m Riviera which will see David Hayes trained Faatinah, Godolphin’s Baccarat and Tadhg O'Shea ridden Sir Maximilian. Next will be the 1800m Aliyah which will see Seemar trained Pupil along with De Kock trained Baroot. The 1200m Mina which will see S bin Ghadayer trained Yalta, the 1800m Victoria which will see S bin Suroor trained Mountain Hunter and the 1400m Shaista which will see Godolphin’s Top Score, Van Der Decken and Silver Line go against each other.
Gate | Horse Name | Pedigree | Trainer | Owner | Jockey | Race Form |
1 | Singyoursong (IRE) | Aqlaam-Dhan Dhana(Dubawi) | D. Simcock | Saeed Jaber | J. Crowley | 14 Starts, 4 Wins, 3 Places |
2 | Opal Tiara (IRE) | Thousand Words-Zarafa(Fraam) | M. Channon | The Filly Folly Partnership | S. Sousa | 26 Starts, 5 Wins, 5 Places |
3 | Icecapada (IRE) | Mastercraftsman-Bounce(Trempolino) | N. Petersen | Stall Bonne Nuit | W. Buick | 29 Starts, 6 Wins, 2 Places |
4 | Furia Cruzada (CHI) | Newfoundland-Nuestra Machi(Hussonet) | E. Charpy | Avaz Ismoilov | A. Fresu | 31 Starts, 7 Wins, 4 Places |
5 | Tiaemah (KSA) | Premium Tap-Bratislava(Awesome Again) | N. Bruss | Abdulelah Abdulaziz Al Mousa Stable | F. Dettori | NA |
6 | Promising Run (USA) | Hard Spun-Aviacion(Know Heights) | S. Suroor | Godolphin | P. Cosgrave | 18 Starts, 5 Wins, 2 Places |
7 | Absolute Blast (IRE) | Kodiac-Perfect Fun(Marju) | A. Watson | Apple Tree Stud | O. Murphy | 20 Starts, 4 Wins, 6 Place |
8 | Aljuljalah (USA) | Exchange Rate-Ruler's Charm(Cape Town) | S. Ghadayer | Salem Rashid Ghadayer | M. Barzalona | 15 Starts, 2 Wins, 4 Places |
Gate | Horse Name | Pedigree | Trainer | Owner | Jockey | Race Form |
1 | Bravo Zolo (IRE) | Rip Van Winkle - Set Fire by Bertolini | C. Appleby | Godolphin | W. Buick | 18 Starts, 7 Wins, 4 Places |
2 | Fantastic Four (ARG) | Forestry - Fanny Doll by Lode | N. Bruss | Abdulelah Abdulaziz Al Mousa Stable | B. Fayd'Herbe | 13 Starts, 6 Wins, 3 Places |
3 | Heavy Metal (GB) | Exceed And Excel - Rock Opera by Lecture | S. Ghadayer | Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum | M. Barzalona | 56 Starts, 13 Wins, 8 Places |
4 | Cosmo Charlie (USA) | Stay Thirsty - Lake Como by Salt Lake | D. Watson | Ramzan Kadyrov | S. Hitchcott | 8 Starts, 3 Wins, 1 Places |
5 | Richard Pankhurst (GB) | Raven's Pass - Mainstay by Elmaamul | S. Ghadayer | Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum | X. Ziani | 15 Starts, 3 Wins, 0 Places |
6 | Nobelium (USA) | Sky Mesa - Striking Example by Empire Maker | R. Bouresly | Bouresly Racing Syndicate | R. Mullen | 2 Starts, 0 Wins, 1 Places |