De Sousa Sees The Light As Hunter’s Claims Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge

Brazilian Jockey Now Three From Three On Godolphin Charge

Silvestre De Sousa remains unbeaten on Godolphin’s Hunter’s Light after the pair won the featured Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round II, in the 1900m all-weather feature at the fifth meeting of the 2013 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

The winner is trained by Saeed bin Suroor who has now won the race, introduced to the calendar in 1994, nine times since 1996 but it was the jockey’s first win in the $250,000 contest.

“He is one of my favourite horses definitely as he gave me my first Group 1 win in Europe in November and I have now won on him all three times I have ridden him. He is a bit of a character and takes a bit of knowing.

“We will have to see where he goes next as he is so versatile with regards to trip and surface.”

Bin Suroor said the Dubai World Cup was a possible for the horse, but a decision was yet to be reached.

There was a track record in the Group 1 Purebred Arabian equivalent, over 2200m, with Ted Durcan producing Albar Lotois to lead close to home and go one place better than he did last year for trainer Eric Lemartinel.

Durcan said: “He is a genuine horse who always goes well in this grade. His previous run was good over 1600m but he is better over these longer trips.”

Last year Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarooni won the UAE 1,000 Guineas with Gamilati and Lovel Pass emulated her stable companion this year, leading 100m out under Ahmed Ajtebi to lead home a Godolphin-owned 1-2-3. Saeed bin Suroor also trained the fourth, Mar Mar, who sported the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Ajtebi said: “She is a talented filly undoubtedly but has her own ideas at times. When she won on her debut she turned left as the stalls opened and did amazingly well to win. I won on her at Ascot so have now won both races in which I have ridden her.

“We will have to discuss plans but the UAE Oaks might be an option.”

It has been a great few days for young jockey Harry Bentley who won his first Group 1 on Purebred Arabian Naseem on Sunday and doubled his 2013 Carnival tally with the smooth success of the David Simcock-trained Ottoman Empire in a 2000m handicap on the all-weather. In doing so he supplied the UK with their second 2013 Carnival success to the delight of his young jockey.

“Sunday was obviously special and a second winner this year on the big international stage is a great end to a brilliant five days.”

There were emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure after Elleval led near the line to win the 1400m Meydan Classic Trial on the turf with Fergal Lynch in the saddle.

The pair were greeted by winning trainer, David Marnane whose father sadly passed away last week. A tearful trainer said: “This is a nice horse and Fergal has done well to get him there. It is a nice end to a bad week.”

It was a second 2013 win for Ireland.

The 2810m turf handicap produced a thrilling finish with the first four flashing past almost together with the Mike De Kock-trained Star Empire leading close home to catch Godolphin’s Ahzeemah. India’s In The Spotlight was sixth under Ryan Moore.

The trainer later completed a double with Royal Ridge landing the concluding 1600m all-weather handicap under Paul Hanagan and De Kock said: “It has been a decent night with two winners and we have always said Royal Ridge would like this surface. Star Empire is a great result for the whole team as he had been off almost two years before his comeback three weeks ago.”

Godolphin’s Hunter’s Light proves too good for the rest, winning the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round II for Silvestre de Sousa and trainer, Saeed Bin Suroor (Credits Dubai Racing Club // Andrew Watkins)

fonte: Meydan