Dubai: Many Colours, who left a lasting impression when winning a seven-furlong handicap at Nad Al Sheba last month, will today bid to become the first Godolphin-trained winner of the Cape Verdi Stakes.
Despite having never previously raced on dirt the Green Desert filly came through her test with flying colours, showing plenty of ability when posting a decisive win.
On the strength of that performance she appears to be the one to beat in today's race, a mile contest for fillies and mares.
Among Many Colour's rivals is Sun Classique, an Australian bred filly who represents South African trainer Mike de Kock.
Sun Classique has a Grade 1 victory under her belt and was a competitive seventh in South Africa's most famous race - the Vodacom Durban July (Gr 1) at Greyville, last season.
Given the form of de Kock's string she is bound to have a big say in the proceedings.
Mick Channon, the former Southampton and England footballer of the seventies who took out a trainer's license in 1999, saddles Musidora runner-up Sweet Lilly. Dhruba Selvaratnam runs Whazzis, a Group 3 winner in Italy, while Brazilian trainer Cintra Pereira sends out Olympic City, who finished second behind Many Colours in his previous start.
Tail-swishing antics
Sweet Lilly is an interesting filly who has been campaigned extensively in England.
Famous for her tail-swishing antics she has produced several genuine efforts for Channon, none more than when narrowly failing to collar the Henry Cecil-trainer Passage of Time in the Group 3 Musidora at York in May.
All in all today's fifth running of the Cape Verdi has the potential to be a well-contested race.
Supporting role
Shadwell's commitment
Shadwell Farm return to support today's fourth meeting of the 2008 Dubai International Racing Carnival which features the second round of the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge.
Thanking them for their support, Dubai Racing Club CEO, Frank Gabriel Jr also said: "Shadwell Farm is generously sponsoring the meeting and the Shadwell operation is one of Dubai racing's biggest supporters. It's wonderful to welcome them back."
Mirza Al Sayegh, President, Shadwell Farm Inc. USA, added: "Shadwell Farm USA is proud to sponsor the second leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry. And we are honoured to be a part of the Dubai International Racing Carnival since its conception five years ago."
