Free Wheeling Rolls On To Godolphin Mile

Time/Date - 16.40hrs local time/Saturday, March 28, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Meydan/UAE
Surface/Distance - Dirt/1m

Free Wheeling returns to dirt for the US$1-million Group Two Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Meydan Sobha at Meydan, UAE on Dubai World Cup night, Saturday, March 28.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained seven-year-old has made three appearances at the course in handicaps this year, most recently when third behind Dark Emerald in a seven-furlong turf contest on February 19.

He made late headway to take sixth over the same distance on dirt on January 29 after being hampered and was a close third on his seasonal return in a mile turf race on January 15.

Free Wheeling won a seven-furlong Tapeta handicap comfortably at Meydan in March, 2014, and gained three victories in Australia, headed by a short-neck success in the Group Two Champagne Classic at Doomben in 2011.

Saeed bin Suroor said: "I think Free Wheeling will be fine on dirt. He did not have the right chance when trying it before. I hope there is no excuse on Saturday and he can give his true running.

"He ran well last time on turf and I am happy with him - he worked well on Sunday. It is a tough race and he will need to be at his best."

James Doyle commented: "His run on dirt did not really go our way. He jumped OK from the gate but got hampered, lost momentum and position so it is hard to judge him on that effort.

"He has it to do though it is not a strong race - Free Wheeling is quite a speedy type who always seems to give his running."

Free Wheeling, drawn in stall two, opposes 15 rivals including Burj Nahaar winner Tamarkuz, plus Surfer and Frankyfourfingers, who captured Rounds One and Two of this year's Al Maktoum Challenge.

Tereshkova (1996), Kassbaan (1997), Allied Forces (1998), Lend A Hand (1999), Festival Of Light (2001), Firebreak (2003 & 2004), Two Step Salsa (2009), Calming Influence (2010), Skysurfers (2011) and African Story (2012) have won the Godolphin Mile for Godolphin.