All eyes on Godolphin's Modun at Spring Trials

Dubai: The second day of Newbury's Spring Trials meeting features two more Classic trials, but UAE interests will in all probability be focused on the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes instead.

Registered as the John Porter Stakes, the mile-and-a-half contest has attracted a small but high-quality field of seven runners including Godolphin's Modun, who was a winner at this meeting 12 months ago in a ten-furlong handicap.

The son of King's Best was last seen in action at Meydan in March where he finished behind Fox Hunt, who was fatally injured on Dubai World Cup night, in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

Should he impress trainer Saeed Bin Surour today, Modun is likely to take his place in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes on the opening day of Newmarket's two-day Guineas Festival meeting on May 5, the same day as the 2,000 Guineas Stakes.

Bin Surour, who is hoping Moduc can produce something special on his return to England, said: "Modun has been disappointing on his two most recent starts and he doesn't show a great deal in his work in the mornings.

Good trip

"A mile and a half is a good trip for him and I am hoping that he can run a better race this time."

Among his six rivals are several Group race performers including Group One St Leger winner Arctic Cosmos, Hardwicke Stakes (G2) runner-up Harris Tweed and King Edward VII Stakes (G2) second Fiorente.

Meanwhile, several Classic hopefuls will line-up in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered as the Fred Darling Stakes) and the Group Three Greenham Stakes, both run over a distance of seven furlongs.