DUBAI MAR 1 - DO IT ALL GETS IT RIGHT IN ZABEEL MILE
By Dubai Racing Club | Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Commercial Bank Of Dubai sponsored Thursday evening's Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting at Meydan, and it was another memorable night for the Godolphin team with Frankie Dettori in treble form and both their trainers saddling doubles.
Silvestre De Sousa was in the saddle on Do It All who made all the running in the Group 2, Zabeel Mile, over 1,600m on turf. Originally the first reserve, he was granted a berth when Rock Jock was withdrawn and Saeed bin Suroor's charge took full advantage to win at the third time of asking in the UAE.
Well beaten on both his previous starts, he was a revelation on this occasion and De Sousa explained: "He is a big horse who had needed his two starts badly and has improved fitness-wise throughout the year. I was allowed to dictate my own terms and then he quickened well."
The highlight of Dettori's treble was Fox Hunt who won the concluding Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, also on the grass but over 2810m. He is trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni who also saddled the runner-up Opinion Poll, filling the same position as last year when finishing behind stable companion Claremont on that occasion.
The winner wears the colours of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and was registering a second course and distance win of the season.
Dettori said: "Race fitness has made the difference I think as Opinion Poll is a very good horse in his own right but I had to choose Fox Hunt as he really impressed me the last time out. He is only a five-year-old and can hopefully improve again."
The opening 1400m turf Al Dana Visa Infinite Card produced a thrilling finish with Dettori pushed Godolphin's Counterglow to lead in the last strides for Al Zarooni.
It was a hard fought victory by the gelding on his local debut and he was doubling his career tally in the process with Dettori saying: "It was a close call but my horse just put his head down where it mattered and the verdict went our way."
Owner and jockey quickly doubled up with a second local debutant, this time with the bin Suroor-trained Soul who was the impressive winner of the 1200m turf Attijari Points Rewards Program, and Dettori treated the crowd to his trademark dismount.
Dettori said: "He seems a nice new horse who will be better over 1400m I think and a nice type to take to Europe."
South African trainer Herman Brown has endured a quiet 2012 so far but did manage to open his account with the smooth success of Bronze Cannon in the 2000m Al Dana Wealth handicap. Christophe Soumillon was in the saddle and Brown said: "He beat Mr Brock here last year under these conditions but it is probably his minimum stamina requirement so the good early pace has helped his stamina come into play."
The 1400m CBD World MasterCard handicap provided the perfect opportunity for the Doug Watson-trained Barbecue Eddie to win at his third consecutive Carnival, defeating stablemate Finjaan.
Watson said: "That is a great result and Barbecue Eddie loves these conditions and has been a great horse to have in the yard for the last three years."
More articles
|