Dubai: The future undoubtedly looks bright for Godolphin’s star filly Certify, who returned to action with a vengeance when posting an effortless victory in the Group 2 $200,000 Cape Verdi at Meydan racecourse on Thursday.
With Mickael Barzalona riding a supremely confident race, the 2012 Group 1 Shadwell Fillies’ Mile heroine showed no signs of rustiness following a 489-day lay-off, when effectively cruising on the bridle till the last two furlongs before stretching out to stamp her class on the Carnival meeting.
Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby was delighted with the performance and said: “It is great to see Certify reproduce her two-year-old form. I can only thank His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for allowing her to stay in training. Racing needs to see these good racehorses.
“I was delighted with the way she won and she is a very serious filly to have on your hands.
“The natural progression is to go for the Balanchine [February 20] now. She is coming back off a lay-off and she will tell us when she is ready to run again, but the Balanchine is pencilled in for her.”
Although he would not entirely commit to Certify’s long-term goals, Appleby did indicate that the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (G1) on Dubai World Cup night was her most favoured target.
The handler also revealed that he was settling into his role with the Godolphin stable and said: “I am very, very lucky because the horses have taken the pressure off me. They have been running so well for the team. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad has always given us the confidence to get on with the job in hand and let the horses do the talking.”
Meanwhile, celebrations were long and encouraging for South African Mike de Kock, who saddled Mujaarib to win the Group 2 Al Rashidiya for the sixth time.
Christophe Soumillon, who rode a perfect race aboard the Shadwell Australia-bred six-year-old, said: “I was pretty hopeful my fellow would run well as he has been working nicely enough but I did not think we could beat Mushreq.”
The Belgian ace was at the top of his game, having earlier combined with Zahee to win the Dubal Casthouse Trophy (Handicap) on the Tapeta.
Earlier in the evening, handler Bader Al Shaibani claimed a slice of history when he became the first Saudi Arabian trainer to win a race at the Carnival when Alsaaeqah won the opening 1,000m handicap.
“We had no idea that she will run this well, we’re a bit surprised, but very happy,” said Al Shaibani. “We have no real plans, but with the way she ran today we will obviously look at some nice races for her.”
Ottoman Empire provided long-standing UAE handler Satish Seemar with a well-deserved win when taking the Dubal Billet Trophy Handicap on the Tapeta.
