Dubai: Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarouni is bidding to win a second Gran Criterium, Italy’s only Group 1 race for juvenile horses, when he saddles maiden winner Timoneer on Saturday.
Al Zarouni joined forces with Emirati jockey Ahmad Al Ajtebi to land the €209,000 (Dh989,285) contest with Biondetti when it was staged at San Siro in 2010.
The Gran Criterium is open to two-year-old colts and fillies and is run at Milan racecourse over a distance of 1,600 metres.
Although the spotlight will be riveted on Newmarket as it hosts Dubai Future Champions Day showcased by two exciting juvenile contests, the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (G1) and the Middle Park Stakes (G1), Godolphin continue to pursue more global success.
No Italian-trained horse has won the Gran Criterium since Fabio Brogi saddled Glory of Dancer to victory in 1995.
In the ensuing period most winners have come from the UK, with Mick Channon, Richard Hannon, John Dunlop, William Haggas and Aidan O’Brien being the handlers who have profited the most in their quest for international glory.
Since its inception Godolphin has had winners in 14 different countries, including 19 Group Ones in Italy.
Timoneer, who is out of Darley stallion Elusive Quality, made a winning racecourse debut when landing a 14-runner maiden at Newmarket in July. He has progressed since and was a good two lengths third to Go Angellica in a listed race at Salisbury on his last start, despite no breaking to the best of his ability and compromising his chances. He stays a mile and can be expected to run a big race at Milan on Saturday.
Al Zarouni also saddles some promising two-year-olds at Newmarket led by Desert Blossom who contests the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes.
A daughter of Shamardaal, Desert Blossom made an impressive debut when winning an 11-runner maiden at Newmarket in August before she finished a well-beaten second to Lovely Pass in a minor race at Ascot.
She is a half-sister to several winners and should give a good account of herself over a mile at Newmarket.
Al Zarouni also saddles Cap O’Rushes in the Autumn Stakes (G3) and French Navy and Mandaean in the Darley Stakes (G3).
John Murphy’s High Octane is one of a number of high quality entries short-listed for the Autumn Stakes, a prep race of sorts of the season-ending Racing Post Trophy. The last to win both races was Ibn Khaldun in 2007.
David Wachman has left in Leopardstown scorer Galileo Rock while Galway winner Eye Of The Storm is one of seven possible runners for Irish handler Aidan O’Brien.
Jim Bolger’s Trading Leather is also a likely participant together with John Gosden’s Flying Officer, the Charlie Hills-trained Glenard and Dundonnell from Roger Charlton’s yard.
