Gold Trail and Baccarat provide two more Godolphin successes

Charlie Appleby sent out three of the five Godolphin winners on the fourth Dubai World Cup Carnival card at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, January 26.

His first winner came with Gold Trail who beat the other Godolphin runner Prize Money (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon) in the 12-furlong Aabar Properties Handicap on turf.

Six-year-old Gold Trail, ridden by Adam Kirby, disputed the early running before settling second behind the free-racing Desert God.

He quickened smartly entering the straight to take the lead passing the two-furlong pole and ran on strongly to triumph by a length from Prize Money (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon), who had every chance and stayed on, in 2m 33.52s, with two and quarter lengths back to Rembrandt Van Rijn.

Charlie Appleby commented: “Gold Trail has got better physically year on year and we were very impressed with what he did on his previous start at Doncaster.

“He ticks all of the boxes for racing out here - a flat track on quick ground over a mile and a half is his gig. He is a total gentleman and that was Adam’s fourth win on him, so he knows the horse.

“Full credit to the team back home, who have done a great job. William Buick has been riding Gold Trail in work and he said that the horse was in some nick. Unfortunately, he wasn’t here this evening but I am sure that he will pleased to see Gold Trail win.

“All being well, the plan is to go to Australia with Gold Trail. I haven’t spoken to connections yet but we had it pencilled in that we would go for the Mornington Cup (Listed, 1m 4f, March 25), which is a win and you’re in race for the Caulfield Cup.

“The ground will be quick out there and I think he will be a useful horse in Australia.”

Adam Kirby added: “I was pretty confident that Gold Trail was fresh and well in himself. He travelled lovely, lengthened really well down the straight and never stopped all the way to the line.

“He is a lovely horse and I get on very well with him. He has a beautiful action, is very clear-winded and is a very easy horse to ride.”

Baccarat gave Charlie Appleby a third success on the night and Adam Kirby a second in the last race.

The eight-year-old sprinter crowned a fine time for Godolphin, when leading home a one-two for his trainer in the concluding Borealis Handicap over six furlongs on turf.

Baccarat was slow into stride and raced towards the rear of the 14 runners. He picked up entering the final two furlongs and progressed well to lead inside the final furlong.

He ran on well to defy his rallying stable companion Jungle Cat (Mickael Barzalona), who had chased the leaders and led briefly approaching the final furlong, by a neck in 1m 9.48s.

Charlie Appleby remarked: “It has been a great night for Godolphin.

“We came into this race with a strong hand and I just felt Baccarat would strip a bit fitter than Jungle Cat but there was not much in it at the line.

“I am delighted with both of them and Jungle Cat should come on for the race. We will look at dropping them both back a furlong for the Meydan Sprint (G3, 5f, turf, February 16) and then maybe having a crack at the Al Quoz Sprint (G1, 6f, turf, March 25).”

Adam Kirby said: “Baccarat travelled really well with me and I thought I had plenty left.

“It opened up in nice enough time, then he found a bit and maintained it to the line. He is quite a quality horse on his day and deserved to win.

“I think the faster they go, the better. You can sit on him and ride him for the last furlong and a half.

“Charlie said both horses were in great form. The race was run to suit mine and it is great for him to get his head in front.

“I thought I came out here with two live chances. It is nice to win on them and repay the team for bringing me out here.

“I have been treated like a little king every time I have been here – I get very well looked after – and it is much appreciated.”