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Saeed bin Suroor has dominated the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline like no other trainer and won the US $10 million feature for a stunning eighth time with the Christophe Soumillon-ridden Thunder Snow.
The winner of the UAE Derby on this card 12 months ago was smartly away from his outside berth in stall 10 and the Belgian-born rider barely saw another rival as the pair strolled away to score by five and three-quarter lengths in a track record time of 2.01.38.
American legend Bob Baffert was looking for his fourth win in the race and after his Arrogate’s dramatic victory last year, he saddled the second and third with West Coast beating Mubtaahij by a neck.
Thunder Snow’s win took his career tally to seven wins in 18 starts and provided bin Suroor with his eighth Dubai World Cup win from 42 runners – a record which towers across his rivals.
Thunder Snow also capped off a remarkable evening for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as it was Godolphin’s fourth of the night, and the second leg of doubles for Soumillon and bin Suroor.
“When I came in the straight I could feel nobody was following me,” Soumillon said. “I knew I had to concentrate because when he sees the big screen, he can do something sometimes. It’s magic. I work hard every day to make sure someday something crazy like this will happen.
“Saeed gave me lot of confidence before the race. I wasn’t ready to ride him that positively and I thought there would be more speed on the inside. He jumped so well that I thought I would have to make it. The first time I rode him I thought that when he leads that no-one can beat him, but it is difficult to make it.
“However, it wasn’t that difficult in the end. Saeed did a great job and the horse made everything – it makes the jockey’s life so easy when ride you great horses. I’m in heaven now, I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but we’re going to have a big party tonight.”
Bin Suroor added: “I am very happy with the horse and jockey. I told Christophe the horse has a good turn of foot and I told him to use it. The jockey is the best of the best.
“When I saw him he was confident in front and I thought surely the horse was going to win from then.
“We have the best owner in Sheikh Mohammed. He is the best leader and gives us the best horses. It is a brilliant win and I will give the trophy to my mother and brothers and family.
“It was always on my mind to run him in the Dubai World Cup and he will have a break now, before running in Europe or America.”
The order of finish was completed by Pavel, Forever Unbridled, Awardee, Furia Cruzada, Gunnevera, Talismanic and North America.
Race Quotes:
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor (Thunder Snow, 1st) – “I am very happy with the horse and jockey. I told Christophe the horse has a good turn of foot and I told him to use it. The jockey is the best of the best.
“When I saw him he was confident in front and I thought surely the horse was going to win from then.
“We have the best owner in Sheikh Mohammed. He is the best leader and gives us the best horses. It is a brilliant win and I will give the trophy to my mother and brothers and family. “It was always on my mind to run him in the Dubai World Cup and he will have a break now, before running in Europe or America.”
Jockey Christophe Soumillon (Thunder Snow, 1st) – “When I came in the straight I could feel nobody was following me. I knew I had to concentrate because when he sees the big screen, he can do something sometimes. It’s magic. I work hard every day to make sure someday something crazy like this will happen.
“Saeed gave me lot of confidence before the race. I wasn’t ready to ride him that positively and I thought there would be more speed on the inside. He jumped so well that I thought I would have to make it. The first time I rode him I thought that when he leads that no-one can beat him, but it is difficult to make it.
“However, it wasn’t that difficult in the end. Saeed did a great job and the horse made everything – it makes the jockey’s life so easy when ride you great horses. I’m in heaven now, I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but we’re going to have a big party tonight.”
Trainer Bob Baffert (West Coast, 2nd and Mubtaahij, 3rd) – “Since we started from the inside gate, I wanted to take the lead but the outside horses went faster then he found his stride. He was in better form than last year and he ran his race, but this is the Dubai World Cup, it is not easy.” Jockey Javier Castellano (West Coast, 2nd) – “I had a nice position outside the winner. He was balanced and in a good rhythm. I had every chance in the world to win the race but the best horse clearly won. He fought very hard to the line to keep second place. Very happy with his run.” Jockey Victor Espinoza (Mubtaahij, 3rd) – “The early part of the race he wasn’t comfortable on the inside. I tried to get him out before the turn, but the door closed. But he tried his very best and I thought we might get second inside the final eighth, but West Coast kept going. He has been second, third and fourth in this race now; it’s a pretty neat record.” Jockey Mario Gutierrez (Pavel, 4th) – “The race went perfectly for us. He got himself into a good position and really went well. We had a big chance, but he just wasn’t quite good enough to win today. I got a great trip, honestly a perfect trip. I’ve not excuse. My horse ran his race.” Trainer Dallas Stewart (Forever Unbridled, 5th) – “It was a little wide, but that’s the way it played out and we’ll just have to accept that. She came back for this great and we’ve been proud of her all year long. It’s just an honour to be here.” Jockey Mike Smith (Forever Unbridled, 5th) – “The speed was just gone today. She got away scrambling a little bit, but she recovered and made some good progress. But then they just left us. She hadn’t run in about four months and she was a little tired.” Trainer Mikio Matsunaga (Awardee, 6th) – “The pace was a bit fast. But he toughed it out. He could not follow them when the pace picked up around the far turn, but I think he gave his best.” Jockey Yutake Take (Awardee, 6th) – “Since we started from the inside gate, I wanted to take the lead, but the outside horses went faster and then he found his stride. He was in better form than last year and he ran his race, but this is the Dubai World Cup, it is not easy.” Jockey Joel Rosario (Gunnevera, 8th) – “I think at one point he tripped himself, anyway he stumbled and I thought he might go down, but he recovered. But that took something out of him, and he sort of emptied – it wasn’t his night.” Jockey Antonio Fresu (Furia Cruzada, 7th) – “She tried her best and ran well but that was a very good race.” Jockey Mickael Barzalona (Talismanic, 9th) - “He had a good enough run but perhaps he didn’t handle the dirt.” Trainer Satish Seemar (North America, 10th) – “When he missed the break, I knew it was not going to be his night. He was loaded second and although he’s a gentle giant, he can jiggle around in the stalls, which is what happened. He has never had to take the kickback, because he has always dominated, and that’s why being drawn in gate two was important. But, unfortunately it didn’t work out. We still have a good horse. He’ll have the summer off and come back to same route as this year at the Carnival.” Captions: THUNDER SNOW (IRE) (Saeed bin Suroor – Christophe Soumillon) wins the Dubai World Sponsored by Emirates Airline at the DWC at Meydan on March 31st 2018. (Credit: Dubai Racing Club //)
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum and members of the Royal family at the Dubai World Cup trophy presentation on March 31st 2018. (Credit: Dubai Racing Club //) |
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fonte : DRC
Review
Hawkbill dominates G1 Dubai Sheema Classic
A superb front-running ride from William Buick helped Hawkbill to a decisive triumph from top international opposition in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 12 furlongs on 31 March at Meydan and provide Godolphin with a third 2018 Dubai World Cup Night victory.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Hawkbill broke well among the 10 runners towards the outside and soon led, with William Buick initially going steady out in the front and then gradually stepping up the pace.
Another Godolphin runner, Cloth Of Stars (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona), disputed the early running, pulling hard, before racing in second or third.
Five-year-old Hawkbill was kicked for home turning into the straight and ran on strongly to open up a three-length advantage at the line from Poet’s Word, with Cloth Of Stars a neck back in third, in a time of 2m 29.45s.
Charlie Appleby commented: “The two horses tonight that I felt really deserved to be back on the G1 stage were Jungle Cat and Hawkbill.
“I am delighted that they have both won and it has been a fantastic evening.
“Hawkbill has been a model of consistency, having won the G1 Eclipse Stakes and been multiple Group-placed.
“William has given him a fantastic ride and thanks to everyone down at the start for checking him out.
“I am delighted for Sheikh Mohammed to have another winner this evening.
“It’s a huge team effort and, when you have jockeys like William and James on your side, it makes your job a lot easier.”
William Buick was thrilled with the victory and declared: “Hawkbill is quite an energetic horse and he got his leg over the gate but I could see and tell that it hadn’t affected him.
“I am absolutely delighted and over the moon – this means the world.
“Godolphin have been having a great night and there has also been an influx of international winners as well.
“Sheikh Mohammed is delighted that the international runners are out here. It is an amazing night and I am a very, very happy man.
“Hawkbill really relaxed in front. The race on Super Saturday managed to get his head straight and his body right.
“I felt that he was in a lovely rhythm at halfway and knew that it was going to take a good horse to beat him.
“He has done really well physically over the winter. We have always thought a lot of this horse and sometimes we have not been proved right, so let’s hope that we can carry on like we are now.”
Hawkbill provided Godolphin’s fifth win in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Review
Benbatl stars in G1 Dubai Turf
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Benbatl ran away with the G1 Dubai Turf over nine furlongs on turf, the second Godolphin triumph during 2018 Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, 31 March.
The four-year-old Dubawi bounced back from defeat by another Godolphin runner, Blair House, in the G1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline over course and distance on 10 March, going down by three quarters of a length.
Benbatl’s jockey Oisin Murphy took the blame for that second and today made no mistakes, being prominent before taking the lead with a furlong and half remaining and going clear.
Benbatl ran on well to beat three Japanese challengers, with Vivlos three and a half lengths back in second and a neck more to dead-heaters Deidre and Real Steel.
It was an impressive victory by Benbatl in 1m 46.02s and Saeed bin Suroor, celebrating his sixth Dubai Turf success, said: “We saw last year, when Benbatl won his maiden on debut, that it was a good start for him.
“Even before he ran, he showed that he had class but was weak, so we looked after him.
“He won his G3 at Royal Ascot and then we brought him out here to win a G3 and a G2 race at this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival.
“Now he is a G1 winner and it is great to see how Benbatl has kept improving all of the time. “We might take him tack to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1, 1m 2f, June 20) and that could be his next target, but we will give him a break now and an easy time.”
Oisin Murphy explained: “I am very fortunate to ride such a talented horse.
“Things went wrong in the Jebel Hatta, but thanks to Saeed and H H Sheikh Mohammed for letting me retain the ride. He had a good trip today and showed his class.
“He jumped slowly last time and the pace was slow, so I couldn’t come back. I ended up wide, covered extra ground and didn’t get into a good rhythm.
“Everything fell right today. I travelled into the race very strongly and Benbatl picked up great.
“He is a very talented colt, who has been managed very well, and I think the best is yet to come.”
Benbatl started 2018 with two easy victories over nine furlongs at Meydan, scoring on his seasonal return in the G3 Singspiel Stakes on 11 January and readily taking the G2 Al Rashidiya on 1 February.
Review
Thrilling G1 Al Quoz victory for Jungle Cat
In-form Jungle Cat showed a tremendous turn of foot to win the G1 Al Quoz Sprint over six furlongs on turf on Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, 31 March.
This followed the withdrawal of Godolphin’s number one for the Al Quoz Sprint, four-year-old Shamardal colt Blue Point (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), at the start.
Jungle Cat, a six-year-old son of Iffraaj also trained by Charlie Appleby, came into the race unbeaten in two runs at Meydan this year.
He followed up victory in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort over seven furlongs in February with a storming success to set a new course record time in the six-furlong Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Super Saturday, 10 March.
Drawn in 10 of the 13 runners, James Doyle held up Jungle Cat in 10th before switching him right to be the closest horse to the stands’ rail.
Jungle Cat was asked to improve with over two furlongs remaining and ran on strongly to lead inside the final furlong to beat American raider Stormy Liberal, winner of the 2017 G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, by a half-length in 1m 9.37s.
Another American challenger, Conquest Tsunami, was a further length and half back in third.
Jungle Cat finished fourth in the 2017 Al Quoz Sprint. Charlie Appleby, welcoming his first Dubai World Cup Night winner, commented: “I am delighted with Jungle Cat.
“As soon as I heard that Blue Point was scratched, I kept composed and knew that Jungle Cat was in the best form of his life. The team have done a fantastic job and the horse deserved to win a race like this.
“From halfway, I knew that Jungle Cat was in a good rhythm. They had gone a good gallop and they were always going to come back to him. I am absolutely thrilled for the horse.
“I fancied him for this race last year, but the rain turned up and that was his chance gone. He is a G1 winner now and I am very proud of him.
“The Dubai World Cup Carnival has gone so well but tonight is all about international racing and it has gone great – we have seen some good winners – but I am very relieved and proud to be able to put one on the board for myself.
“It’s a great team effort and I am delighted for Godolphin and H H Sheikh Mohammed.”
James Doyle declared: “I was gutted for William when I got to the start and saw that Blue Point was pulled out – I know how much he was looking forward to riding him, but these things happen.
“I am delighted with Jungle Cat, what a star he is! He started off winning the Al Fahidi Fort and then won the sprint here on Super Saturday, beating Ertijaal.
“He turned up here today and ran like he did – you can set your clock by him, he is such a dream to ride out and deal with in the mornings. He really is brilliant.
“Charlie’s horses have been in tremendous form right the way through the season here and he has done a fantastic job in keeping them at that level. Full credit to all the team for that as well. I am delighted for Charlie and it is great for him.”
William Buick added: “I didn’t notice anything different with Blue Point tonight. He was really relaxed and everything went as we would have hoped for in a best scenario.
“The vet noticed a trickle of blood from his nose down the start and Blue Point obviously couldn’t run after that.
“It’s great for James. I thought that I would win with Blue Point but, as soon as he was out, I was cheering for Jungle Cat. It’s disappointing for myself, but at least we won with another horse.”
fonte : Godolphin
Thunder Snow steals the show with spellbinding success in Dubai World Cup
The winner of last year’s UAE Derby on this card, the son of Helmet was rushed into the lead by Soumillon from his wide draw in stall ten and never relinquished that position in the world’s second-richest race.
He scooted clear in the straight to thump the Bob Baffert-trained pair West Coast and Mubtaahij.
It was a second big strike on the night for Bin Suroor, who also saddled Benbatl to win the Dubai Turf, while Soumillon, who was at his coolest when leaving it late on Vazirabad in the Dubai Gold Cup hours earlier, celebrated in trademark style blowing a kiss to the crowd.
Bin Suroor, who counts the brilliant Dubai Millennium among his World Cup winners, said: “The horse is brilliant. It’s a very good result. I think the jockey did a great job and knew his job really well. He won well and it was brilliant from the jockey.”
Thunder Snow, a top-level scorer on turf, is 20-1 with Paddy Power for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 3, although connections will hope for better than his previous appearance there when he was pulled up by Soumillon after spooking in last year’s Kentucky Derby.
“Saeed told me if you can take the best start, do it, but I never thought I could make the running from that draw,” said Soumillon.
“He’s a very funny horse. He’s very talented, but when he doesn’t want to do something he doesn’t, but when he does he’s amazing.
“He was in great shape. It was his fourth run of the carnival and he was fit. He’s a champion. He proved it as a two-year-old, three-years-old here and today he was amazing.”
It was a first success in the $10 million event for Soumillon, who was asked where it ranked on his CV, which includes multiple French Classics and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“It’s difficult to say just after the race,” he added. “Winning this is like a dream come true. It’s amazing.”
William Buick masterclass on Hawkbill caps best day of Charlie Appleby’s career
Charlie Appleby toasted the “perfect end to a marvellous carnival” after Hawkbill won the Sheema Classic to provide him with a Group 1 double on the Dubai World Cup card and cap his finest day as a trainer.
Appleby had never enjoyed a winner on the world’s richest raceday – a meeting of huge significance to his employer Sheikh Mohammed – but put that right by sending out Jungle Cat to win the Al Quoz Sprint before Hawkbill struck under a front-running masterclass by William Buick.
The trainer was full of praise for Buick, who dictated a modest tempo before conjuring an explosive and decisive burst from his mount in the straight, which carried him to a comfortable three-length success from Poet’s Word, while joint-favourite Cloth Of Stars, who raced far too keenly, was one and three quarter lengths back in third.
“William has given him a superb ride and set a modest tempo, given him a breather, before increasing the pressure leaving the turn,” Appleby said.
“That is my final runner of 2018 at Meydan and to have a World Cup night double is the perfect way to end what has been a marvellous carnival.
“We have a great team at home and the hard work has paid off so I am delighted for them, the jockeys and, of course, Sheikh Mohammed to whom I am eternally grateful for this amazing opportunity.”
Hawkbill, who was one of four Group 1 winners on the card to carry the colours of Godolphin, provided Buick with a welcome change of fortune after he had to watch James Doyle score aboard Jungle Cat when his mount Blue Point – the short-priced favourite – was withdrawn on veterinary advice at the start of the Al Quoz Sprint.
Lightning threatened to strike twice when Hawkbill got his leg caught in the stalls but, after being trotted to the satisfaction of the vets, he was allowed to line up and showed there were no ill effects by producing a performance hailed as a career best by his rider.
“He was playing around in the gates, basically, because he just wanted to get on with the race and managed to get his leg hooked up in the partition,” Buick explained.
“Luckily he did not harm himself or Satono Crown in the stall adjacent and he trotted up sound in front of the vet.
“He was soon in a lovely rhythm and I was always happy; at halfway I knew I had plenty of horse left and it was just a case of whether something would emerge from the pack.
“He has then really quickened at the top of the straight and that was a very good performance, certainly his best.”
Hawkbill, whose previous Group 1 success was achieved in the 2016 Coral-Eclipse, arrived on the back of a hard-fought victory in the Dubai City Of Gold on Super Saturday, and Buick felt he had improved significantly in the three weeks since.
“His run on Super Saturday got his head straight and his body right,” the winning rider added. “Physically he did well over the winter and we’ve always thought a lot of him.”
Hawkbill was cut to 6-1 (from 16-1) for the Prix Ganay and was also introduced into the market for the Coronation Cup at 6-1
Magnificent Mendelssohn co-favourite for Kentucky Derby after demolition job
Mendelssohn leads the Kentucky Derby betting for trainer Aidan O’Brien after scorching to an 18¼-length win in the UAE Derby under Ryan Moore, breaking the track record in the process.
No European horse has ever won America’s greatest race but Mendelssohn’s devastating performance was enough to give hope that he could be the one to break that record.
BetVictor cut Mendelssohn to 8-1 co-favourite of four (from 20-1), while Coral also initially went 8-1 (from 20) before cutting him further to 6-1 clear favourite, citing “significant” support.
O’Brien has run five horses in the Kentucky Derby, his best result coming in 2011 when Master Of Hounds finished fifth.
Mendelssohn is already a winner in the United States having landed the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November. He previously chased home stablemate US Navy Flag in the Dewhurst, having finished last in the Champagne Stakes less than two months prior.
It was a third win in the UAE Derby for Aidan O’Brien, who was also quick to send his best wishes to the unwell Pat Smullen. He said: “We have to be delighted and he has done that very well having broken smartly which was important.
“Obviously the lads will want to discuss it but the Kentucky Derby has to be an option.”
Moore added: “He is a very fast horse so the plan was to be positive and utilise that early speed. He is all quality and, today, has answered questions regarding the surface and trip.
“He’s a high-quality horse and is getting better with every start. He has the pedigree and the looks to go with his form and his very exciting. I feel like he will continue to get better.
“The Kentucky Derby, with 20 runners, will obviously be a lot tougher but he is a very smart animal.”
Moore partnered Lines Of Battle to win this for O’Brien in 2013, a year after Colm O’Donoghue landed the spoils on Daddy Long Legs.
Kentucky Oaks the aim for second-placed Rayya
UAE Oaks winner Rayya was the distant second and her trainer, Doug Watson said: “She has been beaten by a proper horse and has run a great race.
“She goes to Bob Baffert now with the aim being the Kentucky Oaks and I will, obviously, follow her career with great interest.”
Moore was completing a double having, earlier, made virtually all in the opening Group 2 Godolphin Mile aboard Heavy Metal who was registering his seventh victory over the Meydan dirt mile but first for Sandeep Jadhav.
The rookie handler, who also had Capezzano in the race, was saddling his first ever runners having taken over the preparation of the horses formerly trained by the recently suspended Salem Bin Ghadayer.
Moore explained: “He had to work hard early on to get to the lead but was always then in a great rhythm and I knew, turning in, I was not going to be beaten.”
Price confusion
There was confusion for punters, particularly backers of the unnamed favourite, after the UAE Derby, with winner Mendelssohn shown as 13-8 favourite with some major bookmakers and media outlets even though the ‘industry’ starting price issued by the official provider SIS was 7-4 second-favourite behind Charlie Appleby’s unplaced Gold Town at 13-8.
SIS has the contract to supply bookmakers with industry starting prices from Meydan and the company’s data operations department explained that the prices are compiled from the final show on display with four firms: Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power.
A department spokesman said that while two of the firms, Betfred and Ladbrokes, were showing 13-8 about Mendelssohn as their last show, Coral and Paddy Power had him at 7-4. The protocol the company uses to create the starting price is to take the two best prices from the four, which in this case were both recorded as 7-4.
Mind Your Biscuits lands Golden Shaheen with late dash
The 6f Group 1 Golden Shaheen, the big dirt dash on the card, was dominated by the American raiders with ‘the stars and stripes’ landing the race for a 12th time and providing the 1-2-3.
Last year’s winner, Mind Your Biscuits, emulated compatriot Caller One who won the race in both 2001 and 2002.
However, it certainly did not appear likely at halfway when, under Joel Rosario, he was last of the eight runners, a position he occupied until early in the straight.
Up front, another American, XY Jet wrestled the lead from Jordan Sport and looked set to withstand the challenge of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, Roy H and go one better in a race in which he was second in 2016.
He did hold off Roy H but Mind Your Biscuits suddenly flew home, swallowing his two compatriots up in the final strides.
In doing so, Chad Summers’ speedster lowered the track record set by Jordan Sport on Super Saturday.
Rosario said: “I have always had a lot of confidence in this horse who has plenty of ability but today we struggled to keep up early on.
“I didn’t want to get after him so let him find his stride but I was a bit worried at halfway. I knew they had gone hard so was hoping they would come back but, credit to the horse, he has pulled that out of the hat.”
fonte : RacingPost
Thunder Snow Upsets Dubai World Cup in Record Time
Thunder Snow soars clear in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan
West Coast was 5 3/4 lengths back in the runner-up spot March 31 at Meydan.
- By Jeremy Balan
Thunder Snow showed the way throughout and kicked clear from his rivals impressively March 31 in the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan, where he brought Godolphin their seventh Dubai World Cup victory.
Javier Castellano and favored West Coast pressed the pace all the way in the 1 1/4-mile race, but they were no match for their frontrunning rival, who drew off by 5 3/4 lengths under Christophe Soumillon. The Bob Baffert-trained West Coast edged stablemate Mubtaahij by a neck, while Pavel came in fourth and the lone mare in the race, Forever Unbridled, finished fifth.
Castellano said he knew he wasn’t getting to Thunder Snow at the quarter pole.
“I put the horse right next to him, to hook up with him, but (Thunder Snow) was best,” he said. “(Christophe Soumillon) saw me, he asked the horse, and he took off.”
The final time of 2:01.38 was a track record by the Saeed bin Suroor-trained son of Helmet.
Thunder Snow has never finished worse than second at Meydan, where last year he won the UAE Derby Sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) after he took the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Sponsored By District One Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City (G3).
This year he prepped for the World Cup in a series of starts at Meydan. He was second in the Jan. 11 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented By Longines Gents Master Collection (G2), won the March 8 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Sponsored By Gulf News (G2), and claimed the runner-up spot in the March 10 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1).
fonte : Bloodhorse.com
