Bin Battuta quickened strongly to beat Ispolini as the Godolphin duo fought out the finish to the opening contest of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival, a 12-furlong turf handicap at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 3 January. 

The five-year-old Dubawi horse (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon), off the course since finishing second in a 14-furlong heritage handicap at York, UK, in August, 2017, settled in third on the inside as the third Godolphin runner Big Challenge (Saeed bin Suroor/Hayley Turner) took the nine-strong field along at a steady pace. 

Ispolini (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle), who raced in fourth towards the outside, cruised up to challenge with a furlong and a half remaining. 

Bin Battuta came between horses at the same time, quickly led and soon opened up daylight over his rivals to score under a hands and heels ride by a length and a half eased down from Ispolini in 2m 32.41s on good ground. 

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “We gave Bin Battuta a long break after his last run and he looks much better physically now – he is a different horse in the mornings compared to previously. 

“The pace wasn’t too quick, but Bin Battuta was always in a nice position tonight and finished his race well. 

“I think a mile and six furlongs or further might suit him better in the future. We will probably run him in another 12-furlong handicap and then look at Group races for him. 

“He could be a horse for the Dubai Gold Cup (G2, 2m) on Dubai World Cup Night (March 30).”

fonte : Godolphin