Review: Gr. 2 Al Fahidi and Gr. 2 Al Rashidiya
Godolphin Strikes Win In Both Al Fahidi & Al Rashidiya
Day 4 of the Dubai World Cup Carnival was dominated by Godolphin. With double win coming their way in the Gr 2 Al Fahidi and Gr2 Al Rashidiya.
Charlie Appleby had a great field day with Jungle Cat winning the Al Fahidi on Thursday. The son of Iffraaj looked comfortable from the beginning. He had some early resistance from De Cock trained Janoobi but he was a definite leader after committing himself for the win halfway down the line. Janoobi managed to second place and Saeed bin Suroor trained Dream Castle managed to secure a third spot in the race.
This horse is something of a Carnival veteran now and never runs a bad race,” Appleby said. “He was fourth in the (1200m Group 1) Al Quoz Sprint in March, but we tried him over this 1400m in England and he stays it well. We now have to decide whether to try him over 1600m or drop back to 1200m because there is nothing else for him at this trip. I am delighted to give James his first Carnival winner this year because he is a big part of the team.”
Doyle added: “This horse has a big following at Meydan where he has become a regular and is a big favourite at home, so this is a great result. I am not sure where he will go next; perhaps we could try 1600m, but we know he is very capable over 1200m, so we the team have options with him and a decision to make.”
But this before this win Godolphin managed to capture all three spots in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya. The Saeed bin Suroor trained Benbatl spearheaded a Godolphin 1-2-3 with the Charlie Appleby trained, Bay of Poets and Bravo Zolo second and third.
“He is a horse we have always really liked and he has won this well tonight, following up his course and distance win in the Singspiel Stakes on the first night of the carnival,” bin Suroor said. “Obviously we will have to talk to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, but the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday and then hopefully the Dubai Turf (G1) on (Dubai) World Cup night, both over this course and distance, would be the obvious targets.”
Murphy added: “He gave me a great feel throughout the race and well done to Saeed and his team, who have produced him here tonight in great form. We were drawn widest in seven, but they went quickly enough so that was not an issue as I was able to settle him and get a lead. This is a seriously nice horse and, as he showed again here, he has a serious turn-of-foot, which is a potent weapon in these races.”
By Apurva Chavan, Racing Writer, apurva.chavan@secretariatsworld.com