Sport | Horse Racing
Godolphin fillies go head-to-head in UAE Oaks
Cocoa Beach and Fiesta Lady, both impressive winners for Godolphin this season, go head-to-head in Thursday's UAE Oaks, the feature race of the ninth meeting of the 2008 Dubai International Racing Carnival.
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Sports Editor
- Published: 00:39 February 28, 2008
- 1st race: Racer Forever
- 2nd race: With Interest
- 3rd race: Hard Top
- 4th race: Ripples Maid
- 5th race: Curlin
- 6th race: Divine Jury
- 7th race: Fiesta Lady
- 8th race: Third Set
Dubai: Cocoa Beach and Fiesta Lady, both impressive winners for Godolphin this season, go head-to-head in Thursday's UAE Oaks, the feature race of the ninth meeting of the 2008 Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Both fillies are putting their credentials on the line in the 1,800 metre contest on dirt which Godolphin has previously won with Laoub (2001), Imperial Gesture (2002), Danuta (2003) and Satin Kiss (2005).
Both horses have beaten each other once.
Fiesta Lady was a convincing three and a quarter length winner over her stable companion Cocoa Beach on her UAE debut on January 17, but the latter was doing some good work in the closing stages of the race to suggest that she will be a different proposition on her next start.
And she was, securing a resounding five and a half lengths victory over Fiesta Lady in the UAE 1,000 Guineas on February 8.
Trainer Saeed Bin Surour refused to split the pair and commented: "Cocoa Beach won the UAE 1,000 Guineas on her last start and she has come out of the race really well. She's ready to go for the Oaks and the distance should suit her well.
"Fiesta Lady has also come out of the 1,000 Guineas in fine form and she is also ready to race. She's in good condition and I think she might finish closer to Cocoa Beach this time."
Godolphin have a third representative in the race, in Love Dancing who Bin Surour is hoping will benefit from the trip. "Love Dancing is a nice filly. We think this distance will suit her much better and this is her big chance to run well in the Oaks."
The three Godolphin fillies face eight rivals including South Africa's Classy Lady, Love of Dubai, from Britain and local hopes Olympic Glory and Patio.
Today's eight-race meeting, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, carries a total purse of over $1.5million and features no less than five Listed races including two divisons of the Al Quoz Sprint and the Zabeel Mile due to a overwhelming response from trainers.
Selections
Day's Best: Curlin
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