Two Carnival winners for Godolphin

Godolphin enjoyed two successes, both trained by Saeed bin Suroor, at Meydan on Thursday evening, January 12 and so nearly had a third on the second Dubai World Cup Carnival card.

Red Galileo, making his first appearance for Godolphin after more than 15 months off the track, gained a game victory in the 14-furlong Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal Handicap on turf.

The six-year-old son of Dubawi, fifth in the 2014 G1 Investec Derby at Epsom Downs, raced freely in third of the seven runners before going second after the first three furlongs. 

Christophe Soumillon took the son of Dubawi very wide down the back straight and moved up to hit the front before coming back to the rail with six furlongs remaining. 

Red Galileo was challenged in the straight and headed by Rembrandt Van Rijn a furlong and a half out but rallied and was back in front at the distance.

He ran on resolutely to prevail by a neck over Carbon Dating in 3m 0.12s on good turf, with Rembrandt Van Rijn three quarters of a length back in third.

Saeed bin Suroor, welcoming his first 2017 Dubai World Cup Carnival winner, commented: “Red Galileo doesn’t show a lot in the mornings and was unsound when he came to us. We looked after him and the long break has really helped him. 

“He has improved all the time and we thought that a mile and six furlongs might suit him tonight.

“The plan is now to step him up in trip for the two-mile races later in the Carnival.  There is two-mile handicap on February 2 and we will see how he goes in that.

“Red Galileo will improve for this race and, if he is good enough, I hope that he can run in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai World Cup night (March 25).”

The second victory came in the 10-furlong Mina Rashid Marina Handicap, also on turf, thanks to another horse returning from a long absence, Elhaame who was partnered by Adrie de Vries.

The seven-year-old, who previously raced just over a year ago, broke smartly from the stalls and led initially before being held off the pace in fourth place among the 12 runners on the inside.

Elhaame was asked to improve from third turning in to challenge in the straight. He led just inside the final furlong and won comfortably by three quarters of a length from Good Trip in 2m 3.24s.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Elhaame has been in form at home and I was pleased to see him put up such a good performance.

“I think a mile and a quarter is his best trip and we will look for other opportunities during the Carnival.”

Adrie de Vries added: “Elhaame had not run for a long time but he travelled really good.

“I was told he could take a bit of a hold but our biggest concern was where the pace was going to come from and so I was happy when Mickael (Barzalona on Torchlighter) went on.

“Elhaame was keen but once I got him settled, he did a good job. Well done to the trainer who has done a great job to bring the horse back like this 

“I like him over this trip but he was a bit fresh first time out and maybe when he settles a little more he will stay further. 

“It always nice to have a winner for this team.”

Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor nearly achieved a treble on the night with the Christophe Soumillon-ridden Steady Pace, who was beaten by the narrowest margin, a nose, on the line in the six-furlong Jebel Ali Port Handicap on turf.