Godolphin’s Gayego Faces Threat from Rocket Man

DUBAI - The first Thoroughbred Group 1 of the night, the Dubai Golden Shaheen, will be contested by the smallest field with the maximum field of 12 declared. Run around a bend and on Tapeta for the first time, the $2million 1200m dash looks competitive nonetheless with Godolphin’s Gayego likely to start favourite.

By (KT Report)

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Published: Sun 28 Mar 2010, 12:24 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 5:26 AM

He won the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Thursday in 2009 before an excellent campaign in the USA when a Group 1 winner and a very close fourth at the Breeders’ Cup. His one run this year was a very pleasing second to War Artist (Al Quoz Sprint contender) in the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint over Saturday’s course and distance.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “He is a favourite horse of mine and the biggest/heaviest one in the yard. He ran very well first time and this has been his target ever since. He is in good form and training well.”

Champion Singapore sprinter Rocket Man, a half-brother to Al Quoz Sprint hopeful Our Giant, rates a serious danger. Equally at home on either turf or a synthetic surface, he is trained by Patrick Shaw who said: “He has settled in nicely and won well at Kranji last month. Obviously this is a different challenge but we feel that he is ready for it and expect a big run.”

The Americans tended to dominate this race when it was on the Nad Al Sheba dirt but only the lightly-raced Kinsale King represents them this year. The winner of four of his seven starts, these include his last three runs and he is clearly on the upgrade.

Dandy Nicholls trains Regal Parade, a Group 1 winner at Haydock last year when ridden by his son Adrian who maintains the partnership. The trainer said: “His All Weather record in the UK was good and that Haydock win was a career best. That was on soft ground on a straight track though so this is a totally different ball game.”

Benbaun is another from the UK and Pat Smullen takes the ride for Kevin Ryan. The pair were fourth in the Prix de l’Abbaye last time out in October, a race the horse had won in 2007. Smullen said: “All his races have been on turf but he seems to be handling the Tapeta in his training. He is all speed and used to racing on straight tracks but the bend should not be a problem. He can run well hopefully.”

Eagle Falls was an excellent Group 1 second in his native Australia earlier this month and trainer David Hayes is expecting a big run: “He is in good form and seems to handle the track well. He should go close.”

One World from Hong Kong and Japan’s Laurel Guerreiro complete the international challenge with local hopes Force Freeze and Mutheeb both respected in an open contest. Doug Watson trains Force Freeze and said: “He ran well in this last year and this has been the target ever since. He is proven under conditions and Tadhg (O’Shea) knows him well.”

Richard Hills partners the Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Mutheeb and said: “He could be my best (Thoroughbred) chance on the night as he has thrived under these conditions.”


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