G2 Al Fahidi Fort goes to Jungle Cat

Jungle Cat recorded his third career victory on the turf of Meydan, UAE, when enjoying his biggest success in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort over seven furlongs on Thursday, 1 February.

Partnered by James Doyle, the Charlie Appleby-trained six-year-old Iffraaj horse was well away and raced a bit keenly in second on the outside behind the leader Janoobi.

He ranged up into a challenging position approaching the final quarter-mile and hit the front entering the final furlong.

Jungle Cat ran on well to beat Janoobi by three quarters of a length in a fast time 1m 22.40s, just 0.08s outside the track record on ground described as good.

Another Godolphin runner, Dream Castle (Saeed bin Suroor/Pat Cosgrave), who raced in fourth and threw down a challenge at the distance, was another half-length back in third with the third Godolphin representative D’Bai (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) plugging on into fourth, a further two and quarter lengths adrift.

Charlie Appleby said: “I am delighted with Jungle Cat and I am delighted for James.

“James is a big team player and has put in a lot of home work on this horse.

“There was pace on, and we were right on it. I said that if we are in a box seat position, it will turn into a sprint in the straight and sprinting was always this horse’s game in the past. James has given him a great ride.

“Seven furlongs is Jungle Cat’s trip now. He is getting older and over six furlongs he just hits a bit of a flat spot these days before staying on at the line. He appreciated the step up to seven furlongs.

“Where do we go now? We will have to see. I would imagine we may have to might have to come back in trip as options over this distance are a bit limited. I don’t think he will see out a mile as he races a bit too freely.

“Jungle Cat has danced the dance and all the first three home today are proven Group horses. A flat track suits him

“D’Bai was stepping up in class today and that is a big ask. He is a horse that is probably better in a bigger field – he likes the hustle and bustle and not seeing too much daylight.”

James Doyle, riding his first winner of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival, explained: “It is great to get off the mark for the year and doing it in a G2 – I will take that all day!

“It is hard not to love Jungle Cat. I’ve been sitting in him at Marmoom and getting to know him. “I said to Charlie he is in good form and he tanked round the track with me in his latest piece of work. He showed his wellbeing tonight and was in a good position.

“William (Buick) has some tough decisions to make in some of these races and it shows the strength in depth of Charlie’s horses out here. It’s a nice position to be when you can ride the horses William doesn’t fancy.

“Jungle Cat was stepping up to seven today, which he has run over a few times before. The sun on his back out here has helped.

“He has been keen at home in the mornings and from a slightly awkward gate in stall six tonight I had to decide whether to try and come back in or let him stroll forward.

“He was a little bit gassy, but once I got him into position I was able to get a nice breather into him in the turn. William said don’t be afraid to let him go in the straight as he will see the trip out well - he was spot on.

“We went nice fractions without going crazy. But you can do it at Meydan as it is flat here.”