Godolphin eye mouthwatering contest

Staff Report  www.gulfnews.com

Dubai: It’s nothing short of top drawer action on day two at this year’s Royal Ascot festival, with the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes heading an afternoon of mouth-watering contests.

Racegoers sport themed racing hats at the Royal Ascot meeting. Colourful themed hats are an integral part of this prestigious annual horse racing event in England. Image Credit: AP

As always the Dubai-owned Godolphin stable toss some key performers into the fray and are represented in today’s renewal of the prestigious event by Dubai World Cup third Allybar and recent Coronation Cup runner-up Cavalryman.

They are joined by three other horses with Dubai interests — Mawatheeq and Tazeer, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance; and Debussy, who carries the colours of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

A total of 12 runners are expected to face the starter including French raider Byword who was only beaten half-a-length by dual Breeders’ Cup winner Goldikova in the Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp last month.

Byword is certain to start favourite and looks the one the will all have to beat.

But Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour, who has been successful in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes four times in the past with Grandera (2002), Fantastic Light (2001), Dubai Millennium (2000) and Faithful Son (1998), is confident of good show from Cavalryman.

“He is in good form at the moment… I have been pleased with his preparation for Royal Ascot,” he said on the Godolphin website. “I am hopeful that he can run well.”

Commenting on Allybar’s chances the second Godolphin trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni said: “Allybar looks fit and healthy and goes to Ascot with a chance.”

Frankie Dettori takes the ride on Cavalryman while Ahmad Ajtebi partners Allybar. Other noteworthy runners include Group 1 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes winner Twice Over and Hong Kong-scorer Presvis.