Godolphin’s unbeaten Certify, impressive winner of the
Cape Verdi three weeks ago going 1600 meters at Meydan, bids to maintain her
unblemished record when facing five rivals in Thursday’s fillies and mares race,
the Group 2, $200,000 Balanchine. The grassy contest is held over the same
1800-meter trip as the Group 1, $300,000 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday and the Dubai
World Cup-day Group 1, $5 million Dubai Duty Free.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Certify won the Fillies’ Mile as a juvenile but missed the whole of 2013 before her
scintillating return to action three weeks ago — her first outing since her
Group 1 victory in September 2012.
Given a confident ride by Mickael Barzalona, the daughter of Elusive Quality was far
too good for her five rivals, three of whom are again in opposition here, and
will bid to emulate another Godolphin filly, Sajjhaa, who won both races last
year.
“She has always been very good and she
vindicated the decision to keep her training after missing last season,” Appleby
said. “We could
not have been more pleased with that winning comeback and she has thrived since
then. She had been off a long while and that run really reminded her what racing
is about.
“That was over 1600 meters whereas this is 1800 meters but I do not
think the extra 200 meters is going to be a problem. With only six runners it could be
tactical and may develop into a sprint but she showed in the Cape Verdi she can
quicken. We have to be very hopeful.”
After winning this last year, Sajjhaa went on to complete a
Group 1 double in Super Saturday’s Jebel Hatta and the Dubai Duty Free on World
Cup night — a path nominated by Appleby for Certify after her Cape Verdi
victory.
Dual Group 1 winner Flotilla, victress in the 2012 Breeders’
Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf and last year’s French One Thousand Guineas, was
disappointing fourth in the Cape Verdi but could show much better in this spot. Christophe Lemaire again rides
the Mizzen Mast four-year-old for Mikel Delzangles
and, if back near her best, Flotilla looks the main danger.
The main support race on Thursday’s program, the $200,000 Dubai Millennium
Stakes going 2000 meters on turf, is one of this season’s new listed races and has attracted a very
competitive field of 13. In total, Thursday’s six-race card is worth more than a
combined $1 million.
It looks significant that trainer Saeed bin Suroor has elected to run Tasaday in
the Dubai Millennium and not the Balanchine. The Nayef filly did not enjoy the clearest of
runs in her local debut and first start for bin Suroor when ninth in the Al Rashidiya
on January 30.
“It was
a bit disappointing with Tasaday the first time but she was hampered at a
crucial stage and would certainly have finished closer with some luck in
running,” explained the conditioner, who will also saddle Quick Wit in the race.
“She has improved from that run and her last piece of work
was very good. I really like her and the 2000 meters should really suit and I expect a
good run.
“Quick Wit is a nice horse and working well but he will definitely come on
for the run having been off since September.”
Winner of that 1800-meter Al Rashidiya was local debutant Mujaarib, representing South African trainer Mike
de Kock and ridden
at the time by Christophe Soumillon. Penalized for that win, the six-year-old
son of Nadeem will be ridden
here by Paul Hanagan, retained jockey to the horse’s owner, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin
Rashid Al Maktoum.
“That win three weeks ago was a bit of a nice
surprise really as we really thought he was going to need the outing,” de Kock
admitted. “He has
improved, fitness wise, since and this looked a good target for him. The penalty
obviously makes life harder but we have to hope for a big run.”
Thus far, one of the most impressive winners of the 2014 Dubai World
Cup Carnival was the Appleby-trained Cat O’Mountain, who captured an 2200-meter
all-weather handicap five weeks ago.
Touted as a live Dubai World Cup hope after that win, the
four-year-old gelding returns to action in a handicap Thursday over the same 2000-meter
Tapeta and
distance as the Group 1, $10 million Dubai World Cup.
“Yes, he was impressive that day but he has
an awful lot to prove before you can talk seriously, about such lofty targets,” Appleby
cautioned.
“This a lot tougher than the race he won when everything fell into place for him.
“The handicapper has put him up, the trip is slightly shorter, he is giving
weight to all 15 rivals and is drawn wide. We will certainly see just where we
stand with him.”
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