Dubai: Godolphin must have been mighty pleased to see three of their former charges dominate proceedings at Thursday night’s Dubai Duty Free-sponsored race meeting at Meydan Racecourse.
Leading the way was the five-year-old Le Bernadini, a winner of the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park in 2012, who emerged from a 630-day lay-off to post a compelling three and three quarter length victory in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Handicap, the meet’s feature event.
Ridden confidently by Emirati apprentice Saeed Al Marzouei, the son for former Preakness Stakes (G1) scorer Bernardini, showed no signs of rustiness following the extended absenteeism to win as he wanted to.
Al Mazrouei, who was notching his first win on Meydan’s newly laid track said: “The dirt was never going to be an issue and the whole yard was pretty confident beforehand.
“He’s a Grade 3 winner in America and had been pleasing everyone at home.
“Obviously he likes the surface so we’re hopeful he can progress from here and win some more races for the stable.”
Veteran handler Satish Seemar, saddled three winners, and was quick to credit his team for the accomplishment.
“It has been a great evening and credit to the whole team,” the Zabeel maestro said after recording wins with Price Is Truth, Tahaamah and Satwa Story, the last two being Godolphin cast-offs.
“We have been very patient with these horses and this is a great reward for everyone involved.”
Returning to action after a 400-day break, the former Saeed Bin Surour-trained Tahaamah cruised to a two-length victory over Henry Clay in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises.
“He is a nice horse though and we were hopeful coming here as he works well on the dirt at home,” said Seemar’s stable jockey Richard Mullen, who was on board all three winners.
“He should come on for that run and hopefully build on it.”
Satwa Story, a Darely-bred son of former Dubai World Cup (G1) scorer Street Cry, was an equally comfortable winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap
Having his first start for Zabeel Stables after 438 days, the four-year-old appeared to relish the dirt as he stretched out for a length and a half win over Jebel Ali raider Sowylam and and the Doug Watson-trained favourite Etijaah.
“We had to be hopeful as his work was good and his form in the book was good,” said Mullen.
“He is bred to relish dirt and handled it exceptionally well. It was probably not a great race but he can only beat the opposition on the day.”
Meanwhile, the Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Muhtaram landed the concluding race of the night, the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Handicap under Silvestre de Sousa.
The meeting opened with Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Maiden which was won by the Watson-trained State Law.
However, the winner needed to dig deep in the closing stages to deny Seemar’s Year Of Glory who was shaping like the winner.
Pat Dobbs, the winning rider admitted that he may have compromised his horse’s chance and said: “I probably hit the front too soon. However, when I asked him he really stuck his head out and stayed on gamely. There should be more to come.”
