Dubai Godolphin’s Generalife narrowly missed securing a career-first Group 1 victory when beaten a close third in the $750,000 (Dh2.75 million) Doomben 10,000 at Doomben, Australia, on Saturday.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, the Darley-bred son of Kentucky stallion Lonhro, came with a powerful run to dispute the lead with multiple Group I winner Boban (Glyn Schofield) and Charlie Boy (Blake Shinn) before he was denied by a short-neck and a nose at the line.
Godolphin’s Southern Hemisphere trainer John O’Shea also saddled Knoydart, the mount of James McDonald, who took forth place in the 1,350 metre contest.
O’Shea told the stable’s webiste: “Generalife showed a good turn of foot late and was very narrowly beaten.
“He has pulled up really well so, going forward to the Stradbroke Handicap in a fortnight, he will drop down in weight and hopefully that will be enough for him to go two better.
“From his wide gate James was going to ride Knoydart for luck along the inside rail but got caught behind a bunch of slow horses.
“By the time he made the decision to come out wide, the bird had flown a bit by then.”
