Much like everywhere else Godolphin runs, the operation has turned Meydan into its personal playground during the first half of this year’s Winter Carnival in Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s operation has visited the Meydan winner’s enclosure 22 times this season with 23 other on-the-board finishes. Those victories have been headlined by wins in six of the nine Group 2 races to run at the track in the first two months of the year.
However, possibly the most emotional of its victories was Thursday’s G3 Dubai Millennium S. win by Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {GB}) 20 years after his grandsire stormed to a G1 Dubai World Cup victory.
Making his first start since a lacklustre performance in last year’s G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on a rain-soaked course, Ghaiyyath enjoyed firmer conditions in Dubai to set a course record in the 2000 metre race for his sixth win in nine starts.
“Ideally, you say you’ll have a wait and go straight (to the Sheema, in lieu of running today), but here in Dubai, he’s a bit more tricky than in the UK,” trainer Charlie Appleby said.
“We have stiffer gallops in the UK, where we train on a flat track. He won’t want too much more galloping, because the more he does, the keener he gets. Hopefully now, with a run under his belt, we can just ease off on him and let him float into World Cup night and have a crack at the Sheema Classic.”
Dubawi leads Dubai charge
In the last few years Dubai Millennium’s presence has been felt strongly thanks to the success sire Dubawi (Ire) has had during the winter carnivals.
One of the leading sires in the world, every winter in Dubai sees Dubawi reach new heights with the stallion’s runners winning 12 races so far this season. That group is led by Benbatl (GB), who has handled everything trainer Saeed bin Suroor has thrown at him with ease. The 2018 G1 Ladbrokes S. winner and G1 Cox Plate runner-up has thrived during the winter at Meydan with two victories by an easy combined 6.75l.
Benbatl (GB) winning the G1 Caulfield S.
Perhaps his most impressive run came earlier this month when the 6-year-old entire made his dirt debut an impressive one with a 2l victory in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2. Benbatl is already being touted as one of the favourites for next month’s G1 Dubai World Cup but first he’ll likely be heading to next weekend’s inaugural Saudi Cup as his prep for the Dubai World Cup.
Benbatl may be joined on the plane to Saudi Arabia by brilliant UAE Oaks winner Down On Da Bayou (USA) (Super Saver {USA}), who won Thursday’s race by 18.5l. Finishing in the top two in four of her five starts this campaign, trainer Salem bin Ghadayer has indicated that if she heads to the Saudi Derby she will likely skip the Kentucky Oaks in the United States.
“She’s an honest filly. It’s an owner’s decision (where she goes next),” said bin Ghadayer. “We entered her in the Saudi Derby and I asked my boss if we should go to this race and he said no problem.
"The next and last step for her this season I think will be next week (in Saudi Arabia). She always recovers quickly. One day after a race, she needs two persons (to lead her). I hope everything goes well and she’ll be fine and sound and in good health.”
While some are headed to Saudi Arabia for next weekend’s card, others are committed to staying in Dubai – notably a runner on the Kentucky Derby trail.
Doug O’Neill made history this season when becoming the first US-based trainer to bring a full string of horses to Dubai for the meet. That has paid off for the trainer with six second and third place finishes from 19 starts but it was his win from Fore Left (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}) that was the most important.
Winning the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, the colt looks to become the first based in the UAE to win the Kentucky Derby in May. However, before his connections can focus on the Kentucky Derby, the colt must win the G2 UAE Derby on World Cup night to qualify for a trip to Kentucky.
Ties down under
While the Australians haven’t made the journey to Dubai yet, the Australian connection is strong through dual-Meydan Group 2 winner Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}).
By Darley’s former shuttle stallion New Approach (Ire), Magic Lily is out of British Champion and G1 Oaks winner Dancing Rain (Ire), a three-quarters sister to Sumora (Ire), the granddam of Coolmore Australia stallion Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The family also includes Fastnet Rock’s G1 Emirates winner Awesome Rock, and Western Australia G3 winner I’m Feeling Lucky (Bletchley Park).
Magic Lily has had to work for both her wins this season but her win in the G2 Balanchine saw records fall with the mare setting a new stakes record for the 1800 metres with her 1.25l victory.
“It wasn’t our intention to win the Cape Verdi, because the mile was a bit sharp for her, but (she won) and we were confident coming into today,” said trainer Charlie Appleby after her win. “Perhaps we could fall into something like the Jebel Hatta (on Super Saturday). We have Barney Roy and a couple others and one other meeting to have a look at. We will appreciate this evening and look forward to the future with her.”
The Dubai World Cup meeting takes place on March 28 with the action ramping into high gear on March 7 for the final round of major prep races during Meydan’s “Super Saturday.”
