Newmarket, England African Story has been improving sharply with each of his three runs at Meydan this year and he looks the one to beat in the Godolphin Mile.
The Boys In Blue have won back the money in this race no fewer than seven times over the years, and six of their winners were ridden by Frankie Dettori. This sticks out as one of the strongest stats in Dubai World Cup day history — and if African Story runs like he did in the Burj Nahaar (G3) on Super Saturday, the others will have their work cut out to follow him.
The ex-French runner prepared for his Group One assignment with a solid four-length win over Snaafy three weeks before the big day, and he improved to Globeform 119 in the process. Back in third was the favourite Musir. The Burj Nahaar is run over the same trip as the Godolphin Mile.
It was African Story's second win of the year and one can argue that it should have been three, as he was an unlucky loser on his second outing.
This colt has been on an upward curve throughout the Carnival.
After having carried top weight to victory in a handicap over 1,400 metres on turf in January (beating Barbecue Eddie), he stepped up in class in the Firebreak Stakes (G3) over 1,600 metres on the Tapeta surface in February, but was blocked twice at the finish before dashing late to take third, beaten only a quarter length behind stable-companion Sandagiyr. Both these smart milers have joined Godolphin from France this winter. Sandagiyr was a Listed winner for the Aga Khan in France, while African Story was placed in Group 3 events over 1,400 and 1,600 metres.
Best credentials
He may have been beaten once by Sandagiyr but there is little doubt who takes the best credentials into the battle if the latter turns up again. Nor can there be much doubt about which one Frankie rides, if facing such a choice.
It just has to be African Story, who is a half-brother to winners over 1,600 and 2,400 metres in England and the USA.
The author is the editor of ‘Globeform', a Newmarket-based independent racing and handicapping publication.
