Gold Third For Haafaguinea

Haafaguinea, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and partnered by James Doyle, finished an excellent third in the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors at Meydan on Saturday, March 26, Dubai World Cup night.

The six-year-old son of Haafhd, stepping up to two miles for the first time, chased the leader Certerach in fifth place towards the outside, with the other Godolphin hopeful, Manatee (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona), just behind in sixth of the 11 runners on the inside.

Haafaguinea was switched further wide on the turn for home to prepare for his challenge in the race on turf. He came through the field strongly in the straight at the same time as the winner Vazirabad and took third with a furlong remaining.

Haafaguinea did not have the stamina to go all the way with Vazirabad, who overcame Big Orange by a neck in a fast time of 3m 19.56s, but the Godolphin runner managed to hold onto third by a nose from Suegioo despite being one-paced in the closing stages.

He finished four and three quarter lengths behind Big Orange, while Manatee could not produce a similar turn of foot but kept on to come home sixth.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: "Haafaguinea ran a good race to finish third. He tried his hardest again but was beaten by two very good horses.

"We have no plans for him at the moment but will take him back to Newmarket."

James Doyle said: "It was a very nice race for Haafaguinea. I'm very pleased with him.

"They went a good gallop, which was unusual for this trip. It was a nice smooth run throughout and a monster effort from him."