Raging Torrent gives Dettori, O’Neill another Godolphin Mile

Frankie Dettori was back in the spotlight on Saturday’s Dubai World Cup (G1) program at Meydan, guiding Raging Torrent to a 3 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2). 

While the legendary jockey was racking up his record eighth win in this race, and extending his all-time mark of World Cup night wins to 24, trainer Doug O’Neill was also enhancing his Dubai resume. The Southern California-based horseman was landing his third Godolphin Mile, after Spring at Last (2007) in the old days at Nad al Sheba and Two Rivers Over at this venue last year.

Raging Torrent had achieved a higher level of success than the past O’Neill victors, albeit in the seven-furlong Malibu (G1) and Pat O’Brien (G2). The one-turn metric mile might have stretched his stamina had a rival been able to press him hard enough early, but the son of Maximus Mischief was well within his comfort zone. 

Expected to go off favored in the World Pool, Raging Torrent ended up being an overlay at 7-2. Mufasa was bet down to 9-5 underlay status in his debut for Bhupat Seemar, and he ran like a horse adjusting to a new routine.

Although Mufasa broke sharply, Raging Torrent’s cruising speed soon kicked in, and he readily asserted on the run down the backstretch. Mufasa stayed on the premises until the final furlong, when he gave way.

The closers were furiously descending by that point – France’s King Gold, Japan’s Kazu Petrin, and fellow American Steal Sunshine – but they had to settle for rounding out the superfecta. Steal Sunshine’s fourth was particularly remarkable because he had blown the break to an apparently hopeless degree. Had he maintained contact with the field early, Steal Sunshine might have given the winner something to think about.

Next came Mendelssohn Bay, Mufasa, Qareeb, Fort Payne, Sadaaty, slow-starting No Lunch, Peptide Nile, Oasis Boy, Little Vic, and Sword Point. Cagliostro and Meshtri were withdrawn.

Raging Torrent recently picked up a new co-owner in Zhang Yuesheng, who now campaigns him in partnership with Good Friends Stable. Clocking 1:36.69, the Kentucky-bred paid $9.90 while upping his record to 13-6-1-2, $1,247,400.