Special Features
The Godolphin Challenge
Crisford, who accepts that the strength of global competition has made things even tougher for the home team, said: “There are no gimmes at Meydan, and, while we are pleased with the way in which the horses have come through their preparation, all the races are very competitive, and with so many countries represented we know that we are in for a battle.
“It is a complement to Meydan and all that it represents that so many top horses are turning up on Saturday, and it promises to be a fantastic night on what is a fabulous racecourse, but, though we have some nice chances, I’ll be happy just to get one winner on the board.
“The horses have all had their final gallop over the last three or four days, and we have done all we can. Now we need a bit of luck, but we realise it will be very hard.”
Crisford will outline his hopes and aspirations, not only for Saturday but also for the forthcoming Flat season in Europe, at Godolphin’s annual media morning on Wednesday.
However, he conceded that they had “solid hopes” for the US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by China Guangsha, in which Frankie Dettori has opted to partner Cavalryman from their four representatives.
“Cavalryman needed his first race and has been working well,” said Crisford, while Ted Durcan rides Campanologist, successful at Meydan on Super Thursday, Ahmed Atjebi is reunited with Eastern Anthem, who has been absent since finishing second in two Group 1’s in Germany last summer, and Richard Hills comes in for the ride on Anmar.
Similarly, Crisford is looking for a bold show from Alexandros in the US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, in which he will be trying to avenge a recent defeat over the course by Presvis, while they have four runners in the UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group with Dettori siding with Mendip.
Gayego, who flies the flag for Al Quoz in the US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, was runner-up in the Godolphin Mile last year. However, he has been a revelation since reverting to sprinting, and, having been beaten less than two lengths in the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita, he made a promising return on his All Weather debut when chasing home War Artist over the new course last month.
Desert Party, who made a spectacular winning return on Super Thursday after being off 10 months with a chipped ankle sustained in the Kentucky Derby, will be a popular choice with the locals for their Pick 6 in the Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat, in which they also run Calming Influence (Ahmed Atjebi) and Skysurfers (Ted Durcan).
Arguably, Godolphin’s two weakest races on Saturday are, ironically, the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline itself, in which both Mastery (Dettori) and Allybar (Atjebi) look up against it, and the Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD, in which Dettori prefers Sirocco Breeze (Durcan) and Fravashi (Atjebi).
