Silent Film breaks new ground in Bahrain
Silent Film became the first Godolphin horse to win in Bahrain when getting up on the line in the Al Sakhir Cup at Sakhir racecourse on Friday, 18 February.
The progressive son of New Approach, victorious in the UK and Dubai on his two previous starts for Charlie Appleby, was short of room in the early stages of the seven-furlong handicap before being covered up in mid-division by James Doyle.
Silent Film stayed on strongly down the centre of the course in the straight, collaring long-time leader Shebil Aljazira in the final stride for a head success.
Charlie Appleby said: “We are delighted to have a first Godolphin winner in Bahrain. It’s great to be able to support the carnival out there and we look forward to having more runners in the country in the future.”
James Doyle added: “Charlie earmarked this race for Silent Film some time ago and he had a nice prep run at Meydan. It was a very good shout to come for this race, so full credit to Charlie.
“I have been coming to Bahrain for a number of years and the standard of racing and facilities really improve year on year. It is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with going forward.”
Anamoe claims the G2 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill
Brave colt Anamoe appears to have the G1 Randwick Guineas at his mercy after another stirring performance in the G2 Hobartville Stakes on Saturday, 19 February at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.
Having only his second run back after finishing a gallant runner-up against older horses in the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last October, the Caulfield Guineas winner beat off determined challenges from Hilal to score by a half-length with Converge a further 1.75 lengths away in third.
Anamoe raced much closer to the lead than anticipated in fourth spot and was left a sitting shot for the swoopers in the home straight.
But the three-year-old, by Street Boss out of Anamato, wouldn’t be denied and confirmed hot favouritism for the Randwick Guineas by running 1 minute 23.88 seconds on a Soft track for the 1,400m journey.
Godolphin trainer James Cummings was delighted with Anamoe’s performance and tipped an even better effort at Royal Randwick on March 5.
“He arrived here second-up, he is still warming into his preparation, there is still improvement to come,” Cummings said.
“He (Berry) was able to give him the run of the race, one-out one-back, put him into the race nicely and he fended off the late challenger.
“But I think he is going to improve vastly when he gets back to Randwick and up to a mile will just be perfect for him.
Anamoe took his race record to six wins and six placings from 13 starts for prize money of a staggering $4,247,725.
Valiant Prince brings up hat-trick with impressive Meydan win
Improving four-year-old Valiant Prince claimed a third straight victory over a mile with an emphatic display in the closing turf handicap on week six of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, Friday, 18 February.
The son of Dubawi had scored by nine lengths at Chelmsford City in September before making a winning start to his year in a non-Carnival contest at Meydan in January. Settled in fifth on the inside rail, Valiant Prince quickened strongly to hit the front entering the final quarter-mile and stormed clear in a matter of strides.
Dubai Mirage gave chase in the closing stages but could not challenge Valiant Prince, who was eased close home to score by three and a half lengths in a course record time of 1m 34.47s.
Charlie Appleby said: “I was delighted with Valiant Prince’s attitude tonight. They have gone a rare gallop on the front end, which has helped us, but he has done it all very professionally. He travelled well and picked up well.
“He has a pedigree and of course potentially could be a nice horse. He has progressed quite quickly out of handicaps now and we will look towards some Black Type races back in the UK.”
William Buick said: “Valiant Prince is very energetic and the hood definitely had a positive effect. It was also a strongly run race and it just enabled him to do everything the right way around. The last time he won here it was a case of him getting away with it having done a bit too much up front.
“He has always shown lots of potential and hopefully he can get it together. He is still relatively lightly raced and beat some well-seasoned horses there.
“These evenings are very important and I am very privileged to be riding these horses in the first place. They are prepared beautifully by the team and everything is now building up towards Dubai World Cup Night, with Super Saturday in early March. It is a very important time of the year.”
Unbeaten Manobo proves a class apart in G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy
Manobo maintained his perfect record with the minimum of fuss as he smashed Meydan’s 14-furlong course record in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on week six of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Friday, 18 February.
Last season’s G2 Prix Chaudenay Stakes winner briefly led in the early exchanges of the staying highlight before settling in a clear second as Taqareer established a clear advantage.
Manobo closed on the leader turning in and moved up under William Buick to hit the front entering the final quarter-mile.
The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Sea The Stars powered away from his 14 rivals in a matter of strides and extended his lead in the closing stages, crossing the line five and a half lengths clear of East Asia. Global Heat kept on to take third, another half-length in arrears.
Manobo’s time of 2m 53.78s shaved over two-thirds of a second off the previous best set by Almoonqith in the 2015 renewal of the Nad Al Sheba Trophy.
Charlie Appleby said: “Obviously, we are delighted with Manobo. William came back and said that he has the potential to go to the top over a mile and a half or two miles, so his options are open.
“We will probably look towards the G2 Dubai Gold Cup with him as we have Yibir aiming towards the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. If we are not completely happy with Yibir nearer the time and Manobo is still training as well as he has been, then he could potentially take his chance in the Dubai Sheema Classic.”
William Buick said: “Manobo is a beautiful horse and very imposing. He is five from five now and obviously very good, and the team had him in lovely shape tonight for what was a stepping-stone run.
“I think he can go up or even down in trip. It was a lovely performance and just what you want to see on the back of a long lay-off.
“Ideally, after a lay-off when you are a bit fresh, you would prefer a tail to follow, but he is a big horse and the one thing you do not want to do is break his stride. He did everything right and I think there is plenty more to come from him.”
by Godolphin
