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Global Weekly Review - 04.04.16

J A McGrath
Godolphin made a bright start to the new British Flat season at Doncaster on Saturday with an important feature race double, only hours after a shared win in the opening race of The Championships, Sydney's biggest race meeting.

Godolphin made a bright start to the new British Flat season at Doncaster (UK) on Saturday with an important feature race double, only hours after a shared win in the opening race of The Championships, Sydney's biggest race meeting.

The far-reaching global interests of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's racing and bloodstock empire were underlined as, first, the famous royal blue silks were carried to victory (a dead-heat) in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick by talented two-year-old Astern.

In a hard-fought battle to the finish, Astern was joined on the post by El Divino, Winx's younger half-brother, in a race that may prove a significant point of reference for the remainder of the season.

On the same day, on the other side of the world, William Buick landed the time-honoured Lincoln Handicap aboard Godolphin's Secret Brief, who got the better of Bravo Zolo in the main race on Doncaster's Town Moor, and, on the same card, the Roger Varian-trained Belardo took the Listed Doncaster Mile.

James Doyle wore the royal blue on Belardo, whose resurgence in form has coincided with the ground softening up. The four-year-old, who landed the G1 Dewhurst Stakes as a juvenile, is very highly-regarded by his trainer, who must take heart from not only this performance but Belardo's second to Solow in last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

The other race of interest from Godolphin's global perspective was Nyquist's win the G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in America. This exciting son of Uncle Mo is now favourite for the G1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.

Nyquist carries the colours of well-known American owner Paul Reddam but the stallion rights have already been purchased by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin and he will join the Darley roster at the end of his racing career. Clearly, American race fans are already excited in anticipation of another possible Triple Crown scenario, only 12 months following American Pharoah.

Saturday's first day of The Championships in Sydney was one of frustration for Godolphin, despite Astern's fine effort. Trainer John O'Shea also greeted a series of seconds and thirds. Most ran well, but found others too good on the day.

O'Shea reported Exosphere had returned lame after being well beaten in the G1 Darley T J Smith Stakes.

Henry Plumptre, Godolphin's managing director in Australia, said: "Exosphere was sound this morning (Monday). His shoe is off, and he will remain under observation until the end of the week, when a decision will be taken on whether he continues with his current preparation or goes for a spell."

Meanwhile, Bow Creek, who finished a game fifth in the G1 Doncaster Mile, will head to Brisbane in the winter, with the G1 Stradbroke as his target. "The hope is that he gets a dry track," Plumptre added.

Australia is always welcoming of new champions, and none can be more deserving of the accolade than Winx, a daughter of Darley stallion Street Cry, who made it 9 wins on the trot when taking the Doncaster Mile. She is exceptional.

Coupled with the incredible last-to-first win of Chautauqua in the T J Smith, racegoers were treated to memorable performances by two outstanding horses.

Global Weekly Review