Ahzeemah & Marzocco Go For Gold

Time/Date - 17.15hrs local time/Saturday, March 28, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Meydan/UAE
Surface/Distance - Turf/2m

Godolphin has Ahzeemah and Marzocco running in the two-mile Group Two Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors at Meydan, UAE on Dubai World Cup night, Saturday, March 28.

Ahzeemah (Saeed bin Suroor/James Doyle) was second in the 2013 renewal of the US$1-million race but faded to eighth on his most recent start in the 14-furlong Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy Empowered By IPIC, also at Meydan, on February 28.

The six-year-old ran a better race to go down by three quarters of a length to Famous Kid in a turf handicap over a mile and three quarters at Meydan on February 5.

He was beaten a neck in the Group Two Artemis Goodwood Cup over two miles at Goodwood in July and won the Group Two Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup over slightly further at York in 2013.

Four-year-old Marzocco (John Gosden/William Buick) steps back up in class and returns to turf following a neck success in a two-mile Polytrack conditions race at Chelmsford City, UK on March 12.

He ended his 2014 campaign in Britain with two appearances at Ascot, including when eighth in the Group Two QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup over two miles in October.

Marzocco finished fifth in two of Europe's premier middle distance races for three-year-olds last season - the Group One Ladbrokes St Leger over an extended 14 furlongs at Doncaster and the 12-furlong Group One Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

Saeed bin Suroor said: "Ahzeemah was disappointing last time but we are expecting a better performance on Saturday.

"Two miles is good for him and he has run well in this race previously."

James Doyle added: "He ran good first time out this year but there was something amiss last time. I am not sure what happened but the team have been happy with him since.

"If he puts up his Goodwood Cup form, he has a good chance as it is a fairly weak race. If you take Brown Panther out, the race is there for the taking."

John Gosden commented: "Marzocco travelled well to Dubai and has been enjoying the turf course which is in good condition.

"Both the track and trip should suit him on Saturday."

William Buick remarked: "I know Marzocco well and John is pleased with the horse. He only just won at Chelmsford the other day but he will improve for the run.

"It is an open race. Marzocco stays and tries very hard so I am hoping to be in the shake-up."

Ahzeemah, from stall 15, and Marzocco, drawn seven, meet 13 other stayers headed by Irish St Leger winner Brown Panther, Prix du Cadran runner-up Bathyrhon and Nad Al Sheba Trophy victor Almoonqith.

Opinion Poll (2012) and Cavalryman (2013) have been successful for Godolphin in the Dubai Gold Cup since the race has been part of Dubai World Cup night.