Prince Eiji stakes early Godolphin Mile claim

It’s never too early to look for Dubai World Cup meeting clues and Prince Eiji suggested he could be a force in the G2 Godolphin Mile with a strong first local win in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile [Sponsored by Reserve Forces Command].

The top-class field included previous winner Thegreatcollection, as well as Group 1 heroes Capezzano and Atletico El Culano but it was local newcomer Danyah who cut the early running and stuck on well under Dane O’Neill. However, Pat Dobbs on Prince Eiji always had the leader in his sights and powered past inside the final furlong, giving the son of Dubawi a first win since his debut in September 2018.

“His work’s been outstanding, even last year it was,” said Dobbs. “We knew with a summer on his back he’d be even better. He’s filled out a lot and he’s a lot stronger than he was. We thought he looked a bit big in the paddock so he should improve.”

“When he got in behind he picked up the bit again and was ready to go”, added trainer Doug Watson. “I’m just really chuffed for HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Obaid Al Maktoum and the whole team.

“We knew he was better than his rating; his form tapered off last season. We’ll look at the first leg of the Maktoum Challenge now, on January 6^th.”

That was a second winner on the card for Watson and Dobbs, following Colour Up‘s striking success in the opening Abu Dhabi Maiden over 1200metres.

Owner Sayed Hashish and the connections of Colour Up have had to be patient, with the Mehmas gelding not making the track until the age of four. Now thriving, he made his third start a winning one. Sitting just off the leaders, they were always travelling better than their seven rivals and kicked clear in the straight, winning by six and quarter lengths from Mezzotinto.

“He jumped better tonight but we went very quick and he switched leads and ran away into the bend,” said Dobbs. “I think six (furlongs) is perfect for him because he’s built like a sprinter.”

The three-year-olds’ event, the Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah Rated Conditions race, over 1600metres, looked a quality contest, with UAE 2000 Guineas winner Azure Coast taking on Guineas trial winner Rawy and UAE Derby fourth Bendoog.

It was Bendoog who proved the best; the huge son of Gun Runner registering his second career win in impressive fashion. Travelling in third, behind pacesetter Rawy, for much of the race, he and Tadhg O’Shea struck for home off the final turn and beat Quality Humour by a length and a half.

“You can see the size of him, he’s got that huge, big stride and he was just weak off the bridle last year,” said O’Shea. “He’s grown again and he’s a gorgeous looking horse. I think at the moment a mile is good for him.”

Seemar added: “He’s been training superb and he’s carrying a lot of weight today, 60 kilos, with the second horse carrying 54kg. He’s still learning but he’s a very good horse.”

Seemar and O’Shea were completing a double, having earlier struck in the colts’ two-year-old ‘Dubai Maiden’ [Sponsored by Naval Forces Command], over 1200metres. Their Morning survived being up with a quick early pace and raced to the win in professional style.

Owned by Naser Askar, the flashy son of Munnings was fourth on debut after fluffing the start but handled things much better here, racing to a three and a quarter length victory over Magic Petition.

“He’s a horse we like,” said O’Shea. “He ran well the first night and he’s improved for that and made no mistake out of the gates this time. His dam’s side is all stamina so he’ll get two turns in time, but he’s a little sharp in his mind at present.”

Tiny but tough is a good way to describe Here We Are, who stuck dourly to the rail and her task when winning the fillies’ two-year-old Dubai Maiden [Sponsored by Naval Forces Command]. The daughter of Super Saver had been second on debut two weeks ago and put that experience to good use under Xavier Ziani. She broke well for the 1400metre contest and found plenty more off the home turn, seeing off Home From Home by two and a quarter lengths.

“That’s probably her maximum trip, six to seven furlongs,” said Ziani, riding for trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer. “From day one at the stable she showed she knows her job. She’s not a big filly, she has a two-year-old body, but let’s see how she develops the future.”

There was a thrilling finish to the 1200metre Ajman Handicap [Sponsored by Presidential Guard Command] when El Baareq just held off the late challenge of Libyan Classic. Rashed Bouresly’s four-year-old was a winner at Jebel Ali two starts ago and was already having his fourth start of the season, but made the most of his draw in one, scrambling home by a short head.

“It’s taken me a while to learn how to ride him,” said winning jockey Richie Mullen. “You just have to let him freewheel. I tried to organize him once and he ran no sort of race, but he’s such a consistent horse when he’s allowed to dominate. The six [furlongs] really does stretch him, he’s probably better over five.”

Up until the last, trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash’s team had been running well in defeat but the Emirati trainer collected a win on UAE National Day weekend when Triple Venture took the last, the 1400metre Fujeirah Handicap, breaking his maiden in the process.

The five-year-old was another to go for home off the final bend, rider Ray Dawson keeping him up to his task for a comfortable enough length win over Sendeed.

Meydan races again next Friday, December 9^th, when the Listed Garhoud Sprint is the feature race.