Khawalah strikes form for Godolphin

The stables’ first jockey Frankie Dettori who could not make on Khawalah, partnered debutant Xin Xu Lin for the Godolphin second trainer Mahmoud Al Zaroonei. The three-year-old South American-bred Xin Xu Lin showed the way in the early stages of the race as Ryan Moore settled right behind the speed aboard Master Of Hounds. But the order of running changed very quickly when the pack headed towards the home straight and Ryan Moore pushed the button to take the lead from Dettori who was relegated to fifth place.

In the meantime, Barzalona asked Khawalah to improve and the decent filly responded keenly to win by a nose near post.

Mickael Barzalona said “It didn’t go at all like I’d hoped because she couldn’t get any cover, but she got me out of trouble. She was very brave and finished really well. It’s a dream to win here.”

Ryan Moore commented: “He ran very well for his first run of the season. He felt to me like he would come on for that.” Aidan O’Brien, trainer, Master of Hounds added: “He’s run a great race. It was his first outing of the season and Ryan said he got tired in the last 50 yards, which he was entilted to do. I’m delighted to be here and be part of it. Words and pictures cannot do this place justice. This fellow run a nice race in the Racing Post Trophy last season and in America, where he was slowly away from the stalls and got too far back, but he’s broken well today and I’m delighted with him. He’ll improve as the year goes on.”

Result: Race Four 6.25pm Thoroughbreds UAE Derby (Group-2). 1900m (a 9.5f) sponsored By The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group. Purse: $2,000,000: 1. Khawalah (Saeed bin Suroor) Mickael Barzalona 2. Master Of Hounds (Aidan O’Brien) Ryan Moore 3. Mahbooba (Mike De Kock) Christophe Soumillon

Time: 1.58.83. Distances: NS/ 3.5L.