Best Solution Wins G2 At Newmarket
The powerful Godolphin operation got their July Meeting at Newmarket Racecourse off with a bang, as Dubai World Cup Carnival star Best Solution solved all the problems thrown at him in the Gr.2 Princess of Wales’s Arqana Racing Club Stakes over about-2400m.
The Day 1 feature of the popular meeting was an exciting affair, attracting a salty septet, including the highly thought-of duo of Sir Michael Stoute trainee Mirage Dancer and John Gosden pupil Raa Atoll, as well as Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s talented Barsanti and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’a pair of Group 3 winner Muntahaa and classtested Laraaib.
Best Solution did not have a completely easy go of it in the feature. For a moment, it appeared that he may be stuck in traffic when the real running started, but under a clever ride by Carnival favourite Pat Cosgrave, the Group 1-placed son of Kodiak seized an opportunity to split horses and engage 2-1 market leader Mirage Dancer with about 500m remaining.
After a long battle with said rival, the long-winded bay 4-year-old colt proved superior by a half-length, laughing at the punters who made him a 6-1 fourth choice. The victory gave the 17-time starter his third Group victory from as many seasons, after having taken (Gr.3) Newmarket’s Autumn Stakes at two and (Gr.3) Newbury’s St Simon Stakes as a sophomore in 2017.
Earlier this season, he made four starts at Meydan, including three during the Carnival. His top efforts included a dominating victory (pictured) in the Jaguar F Handicap in February and a solid fifth in the $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) behind Hawkbill, Gr.1 subsequent Prince of Wales’s winner Poet’s Word, Group 1 winner Cloth of Stars and Japanese Derby champion Rey de Oro.
This one has options. We are looking for a Group 1 for him and looking overseas. Maybe Australia for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup . We have seen mile and a half and mile and a quarter horses here go on to do well there.” Another Bin Suroor-Godolphin DWC Carnival runner to perform exceptionally this weekend was Racing Country, who won for the second consecutive time this summer. Runner-up in a division of the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on Meydan dirt, the son of Dubawi was dominant in the Ascot’s Savills Handicap under jockey Eddie Greatrex.
Credit: Dubai Racing Club