Godolphin’s longest-serving trainer won the inaugural Balanchine in 2004 with Gonfilia and has enjoyed subsequent glory in the race with Very Special (2016) and Sajjhaa, who graduated to G1 glory following her victory in 2013.

Talented mare Promising Run bids to provide Saeed bin Suroor with a fourth victory in the G2 Balanchine Stakes, the feature turf contest at this Saturday’s (17 February) Dubai World Cup Carnival fixture at Meydan, UAE. 

The five-year-old daughter of Hard Spun, winner of the G2 Al Rashidiya in 2017, lines up in the nine-furlong race on the back of an impressive return to action at the same course on 25 January, when she ran on strongly for a comprehensive victory in the mile G2 Cape Verdi. 

Saeed bin Suroor commented; “I am looking forward to seeing Promising Run race again on Saturday in the Balanchine. 

“She won the Cape Verdi convincingly in January and has continued to improve since then. She has won five times for Godolphin and hopefully she can add to that tally.”

Godolphin’s longest-serving trainer won the inaugural Balanchine in 2004 with Gonfilia and has enjoyed subsequent glory in the race with Very Special (2016) and Sajjhaa, who graduated to G1 glory following her victory in 2013. 

He continued: “We have a good record in this race, having won it with Gonfilia, Sajjhaa and Very Special. 

“Sajjhaa was a fantastic mare who, after her Balanchine win, went on to success in the Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday and the Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup Night. I have fond memories of her and we are hopeful that Promising Run can show similar talent.”

Saeed bin Suroor has enjoyed a tremendous start to this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival and leads the trainer standings with 10 wins, including major victories for Thunder Snow, Benbatl and Winter Lightning in addition to the success of Promising Run in the Cape Verdi. 

The trainer added: “I am delighted with how our season is going so far and the team are all in high spirits, but this isn’t about us, we are here to race for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and to race for Dubai. 

“Godolphin is His Highness’s team and so this isn’t our success, this success belongs to His Highness.”

fonte : Godolphin