Godolphin dominate with three winners

Dubai:  The 16th edition of the Dubai World Cup meeting thrilled UAE fans when three Godolphin stars sparkled to give the all-conquering stables a Group 1 win and two Group 2 titles on the big night.

While Rewilding set a new course record on way to winning the $5 million (Dh18.4 million) Dubai Sheema Classic on turf, Khawlah left it late to emerge as the first filly to win the Group 2 UAE Derby.

Earlier in the evening it was Skysurfers, under the superb handling of jockey Lanfranco Dettori, who carved out a great win in the Godolphin Mile (Group 2).

Out of the triple, Saeed Bin Surour saddled two while Mahmoud Al Zarouni grabbed his second Sheema win. Dettori also claimed a double while Mickael Barzalona did the trick on Khawlah and three out of seven thoroughbred races was more than consolation for not winning the Dubai World Cup, which went Japan's way.

Rewilding was running here in Meydan for the first time and after a disappointing run in the British Classic, the St Leger, in September last year.

The four-year-old Tiger Hill colt was hard ridden in the straight and moved up to press the leader Redwood inside the final furlong before running on strongly to go clear during the closing stages.

Historic feat

The Al Zarouni-trained Rewilding set a new course record of 2m 29.01s for the 12-furlong turf course and followed his half-sister, Dar Re Mi, who won the Dubai Sheema Classic last year. The trainer's second runner Calvados Blues finished third under Ahmad Ajtebi.

Khawlah made history by becoming the first filly to win the UAE Derby and gave Godolphin a seventh victory in the $2-million contest on the Tapeta.

The three-year-old daughter of Cape Cross had previously won the UAE Oaks during the Carnival and was ridden by Barzalona.

The Bin Surour-trained contender, partnered by Barzalona, broke well on the outside but was pushed wide on the first bend of the nine and a half furlong race.

After helping Khawlah to a last-gasp win, Barzalona said: "Nothing happened the way I wanted it to. Khawlah couldn't find any cover, but she got me out of trouble. She was extremely brave and she overcame all the odds — it was a dream of mine from early on to win here and I have just accomplished it."

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, added: "Khawlah will return to England for a suitable Oaks trial and then hopefully target Epsom for the Investec Oaks. She is a filly that seems to be progressing very well at the moment."

The best effort for the night came from Dettori on Skysurfers while winning the Godolphin Mile. No horse had ever before overcome such an outside draw in the $1 million Godolphin Mile and Skysurfers had drawn barrier 13 out of 14 runners. But Dettori got Skysurfers through the traffic and pipped Mufarrh in the final furlong for his sixth success in the event.