Godolphin warm up for big day

A number of Godolphin’s older and three-year-olds were seen loosening up and getting set for the tests ahead, along with the entries from abroad.

Skysurfers, ridden by Frankie Dettori, will defend the stables’ Godolphin Mile (Group-2) title which was won last year by Calming Influence and Ahmed Ajtebi for trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni of Godolphin who has claimed the title 10 times since inception in 1994w.

The five-year-old son of E Dubai has finished fourth in that race, but has shown great improvement since then having won recently the Firebreak Stakes ‘Listed’ from Musir in a spectacular finish.

“He is doing well — he always does well when he is fresh. He is in good form and working fine. Skysurfers worked on Monday and I was really happy with him — he had a good blow-out over four furlongs. He is sound, happy, healthy and ready to go,” said Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

The Royal stables are strongly represented in the UAE Derby (Group-2).

Frankie Dettori will partner debutant Xin Xu Lin for trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni, John Murtagh will jump on Splash point, Ahmed Ajtebi partners Introvert and Mickael Barzalona rides Khawlah which apparently carries the hopes of the Royal Stables to regain the title which they have won six times and the last winner was Regal Ransom in 2009.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “She ran a huge race last time to win the UAE Oaks. She also worked pleasingly on Monday over half a mile and is a tough filly. The trip suits her and she came back very well from her victory last month. Khawlah is a professional filly — she does everything easily and keeps improving all the time.”

Meanwhile, the stables will have no representatives in the Al Quoz Sprint Group-2 which they have won in 2007 with Great Britain.

In the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1), the race which Godolphin has won only once in 1996 with Kassbaan, the stables are represented with Charlie’s Moment under Frankie Dettori for Suroor.

However, it’s one of the toughest races of the night and Suroor explained: “Charlie’s Moment won really well on his first start for us at Meydan last month. He showed plenty of speed and a good turn of foot — six furlongs is his trip and he is working well. He is a typical sprinter.”

Godolphin has won the Dubai Duty Free (Group 1) four times in a row since 1996, but they have been away from the Podium in the last 11 years.

This year, they will be represented by Mendip, Frankie Dettori up, and Debussy, ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi.

Suroor declared: “Mendip worked on Monday over five furlongs and pleased me. He has won two races here this year and I think the nine furlongs of the Dubai Duty Free will suit him. He came back well from his last race and is ready to go again. I think he will be fine switching to turf.”

However, Poet’s Voice will carry the hopes of the home team in the main race, the Dubai World Cup Group-1 and will be ridden by Dettori. Ajtebi will be aboard Prince Bishop and Mickael Barzalona will ride Mahmoud Al Zarooni-trained Monterosso. Godolphin won the title five times.

Speaking about the chances of Poet’s Voice, the Godolphin trainer said: “He was a Group One winner in 2010 and he has looked more relaxed this year and I think the mile and a quarter of the Dubai World Cup will suit him.”

As regards Prince Bishop, Suroor added: “He ran well on his first start of the year but needed the race. He worked really well over six furlongs yesterday and I like him. Prince Bishop is improving and it looks like he handles Tapeta well.”

Finally, Mahmood Al Zarooni is of the opinion that Monterosso is good enough to make it a winning start for him in the international racing extravaganza. “He has improved after winning a race on turf nicely at the beginning of this month. I have no problem with the distance of a mile and a quarter,” he said.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com