DUBAI FEB 3 - GAMILATI SENSATIONAL IN GUINEAS ROMP

By Dubai Racing Club | Friday, February 3, 2012

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai was present to see Godolphin's Gamilati lead home a 1-2 result when comfortably beating stable companion Pimpernel in the Gulf News-sponsored Listed UAE 1000 Guineas, the first Classic of the season run over 1600m on the all-weather.

Frankie Dettori was in the saddle on the winner who confirmed the promise of her win in the 1400m trial for this race and she seemingly relished the extra 200m and has taken the switch to the all-weather with relish.

Dettori always looked confident, tracking his five rivals until producing the filly on the outside and she could not have won more easily with Pimpernel, who endured a few traffic problems early in the straight, running on at one pace for second.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said: "She is a very nice filly with a touch of class and that was a very good performance. We have lots of options with her now with the UAE Oaks under definite consideration and perhaps then the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot or maybe the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket."

Winning trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni added: "They are two very nice fillies and we are delighted with that. We will all have to sit down and talk about where to go next."

Trainer and jockey completed a double when Fox Hunt ran out the comfortable winner of the concluding 2810m turf Tabloid Trophy handicap.

Having his first start since leaving Mark Johnston, for whom he was a close seventh in the Melbourne Cup on his final start, the winner was never far off the pace and an impressed Dettori said: "That is my first time on the horse and he has done it well. He had some great form last year and hopefully has more to offer in 2012."

The Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint Sponsored by Gulf News, over 1200m on the all-weather, produced a thrilling finish with Silvestre De Sousa and Hitchens denying Krypton Factor in a photo finish.

It was a first winner in the UAE for trainer T David Barron, saddling his fourth local runner and the handler said: "He has been a great servant to us and this is a big win on the international stage for a lower profile yard. Super Saturday and then, hopefully, (Dubai) World Cup night, will be next on the agenda."

De Sousa was completing a double having landed the 1400m Meydan Classic Trial on Factory Time who relished the return to turf after two defeats on the all-weather surface.

He was a second winner on the night for last season’s champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe after Maraheb, originally the second reserve, took full advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself in the opening 1600m Freehold Trophy handicap.

Stable jockey Royston Ffrench was in the saddle on that occasion as the four-year-old ran on strongly to deny stable companion Alazeyab.

Ffrench said: "He was very lazy early on but responded each time I asked him and once we hit the front I was always confident he would hold on. The yard have been in great form all season and hopefully it will continue."

For the second year running, the 1000m turf handicap was won by UK-based trainer Robert Cowell who, having won the race in 2011 with subsequent Group 1 winner Prohibit, landed this year’s renewal with Monsieur Joe who led in the dying strides under William Buick.

Cowell said: “We hoped he would run well after a promising local debut and William has given him a great ride.”

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