Emotionless: takes on Air Force Blue in heavyweight Dewhurst clash

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

THE name could mislead, but a victory for Godolphin’s Emotionless in today’s Dubai Dewhurst Stakes matters.

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Not as much as a success in next year’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas, but, a year into a team rebrand, winning the race recognised as the key juvenile event in the calendar will be a significant pointer to the calibre of Godolphin’s lead hope for Classic honours.

The evidence so far has been highly encouraging, with the colt recording two decisive victories, the second in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

Biggest challenge to date

Today he faces the acid test of his credentials when he comes up against Air Force Blue, already a two-time Group 1 winner, in what is being billed as a match.

With Air Force Blue having double the experience of Emotionless, a second-place finish to the Ballydoyle colt would not necessarily be a disappointment in the race his sire Shamardal won 11 years ago, and punters marginally prefer Aidan O’Brien’s runner in the betting.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Emotionless, said: “It’s being billed as a two-horse race but there are others who deserve respect. I like the John Gosden horse [Tashweeq] in particular and there are more battle-hardened horses.

“But I have got to be happy with our horse. His preparation has been great. His maiden victory at Newmarket was obviously impressive to the eye and the form has worked out nicely.

“Whatever this horse does at two is a bonus”

“He couldn’t have been any more impressive than he was at Doncaster. The form of that race was solid enough without being Group 1 level. You don’t often see a jockey sit up in his irons two down and have a look around before he started to do anything, as William Buick did at Doncaster.

“I have said before whatever this horse does at two is a bonus. The reason we are where we are is because he broke his maiden so effortlessly and won a Group 2 with ease. He has not had a hard race yet.

“I would be happy if he’s in the first three as he’s a lovely big scopey horse who is only going to get better at three.”