Rare Rhythm Stays In Dubai For Gr. 2 Dubai Gold Cup
Promising Godolphin stayer Rare Rhythm will remain in Dubai for the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup. The decision was taken by trainer in consultation with owner HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum after the Dubawi gelding got the better of the really classy dual Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup winner
Vazirabad in the Gr. 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy. “I have spoken to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and we have agreed he will stay here for the Dubai Gold Cup. We thought he had a big chance tonight because he was working very well and looked in great nick. Hopefully he will be very competitive on the big night in four weeks’ time.” Said Appleby.
Promising Godolphin stayer
Rare Rhythm was being considered for both the Gr.1 Sydney Cup and the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup after a seven and a half months break to recover from illness.
Vazirabad under Christopher Soumillon was denied in the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy which is considered to be a springboard to success in the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup on the Dubai World Cup card.
The Manduro gelding could not catch Godolphin’s Appleby-trained Rare Rhythm and William Buick. Both horses were settled well off the pace before, almost simultaneously, making smooth progress to challenge 400m out, with Vazirabad switching to the inside to chase his rival. After a fine rally, and obviously needing the race, Vazirabad and Soumillon accepted defeat inside the final 100m, saving their best effort for their next face-off in the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup.
“That was very impressive and I was mindful that I did not want to give him too hard a race,” Buick said. “He has not had that much racing and is a horse we have always really liked. The extra distance in the Dubai Gold Cup should suit him and he must go there with a big chance.”
This is Rare Rhythm’s third unbeaten finish. The Dubawi gelding was earmarked as a Gr. 1 Melbourne Cup prospect when he landed the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, prior to winning the Listed John Smith’s Silver Cup at York.
He then suffered an injury setback shortly after, which scuppered his chances of making the trip to Melbourne. Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy was Rare Rhythm’s first race after a seven and half month break.
Appleby sent out Polarisation to win the Gr.1 Sydney Cup for Godolphin last year and he is currently drawing up a list of suitable horses likely to be on his short list this year.
Credit: Ritesh Jamkehdkar and Pallavi Shevade