Godolphin chase Hong Kong glory

Godolphin chase triple Group One victories at today's big meeting at the Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong, with success guaranteeing them their best ever season since the stable was launched eight years ago.

Godolphin have already amassed 16 Group One victories this season, leaving them just two short of their best year in 1998 where World champion Daylami accounted for four wins and the great Dubai Millennium two.

The Dubai-owned stable have three promising entries in the meet's three Group One races including Grandera who contests the Hong Kong Cup, Noverre the Hong Kong Mile and Ekraar the Hong Kong Vase.

Godolphin's retained rider Frankie Dettori, who celebrates his 32nd birthday today, will take the ride on all three of the contenders.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor was confident of his ward's chances but cautioned that the Hong Kong meeting was far more competitive than it appeared.

"Our horses are capable of running big races on Sunday, but it will take a special performance to win," he said.

"The Hong Kong meeting is extremely competitive and it takes a lot for an overseas horse to win here. "I think our runners are the best for these races and have travelled and trained well in the build up to the meeting. With a little luck we could have some good results to wrap-up the season."

Dettori, who was partner of Fantastic Light to give Godolphin their only previous victory at the venue in 2000 in the Hong Kong Cup, commented on Grandera's chances in the 12 horse race.

"It's pretty obvious that Grandera has the ability to win this race if he runs to his best form," said the Italian has won 16 Group One races in an illustrious career that has spanned 16 years.

Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford, who is also in Hong Kong, said on the stable website: "We are at the end of a long season for him but he has a very tough constitution and lots of admirable qualities.

"We are hopeful that he can retain the sort of form he showed during the middle of the season and he is giving us every indication that he can do that."

Grandera, a four-year-old by Grande Lodge, has already won three Group One races this year including the Singapore Airlines Cup at Kranji in May, the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot in June and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September.

Other notable runners contesting the Hong Kong Cup are Japan's Eishin Preston, winner of last year's Hong Kong Mile, Paolini for Germany, Sarafan from America and Indian Creek from Britain.

Noverre takes on 12 challengers in the Hong Kong Mile before he is retired to Kildangan Stud.

Assessing the Rahy son's chances Crisford said: "We are looking for another good run. We are hoping that he can finish his career with a major success. He looks super and we are very pleased with him."

Noverre, which has made 15 Group One starts, takes on British raiders Tillerman, Gateman and Dupont, Japan's Tokai Point and Admire Cozzene, Australia's Scenic Peak and home hope Electric Unicorn.

The third Godolphin runner, Ekraar, competes in a 14-runner field vying for honours in the 12 furlong Hong Kong Vase.

The field includes French-trained Aquarelliste, second to Sakhee in the Arc de Triomphe in 2001, Falcon Flight and Celta Form from America, Guadalupe from Germany and Hong Kong hopes Indigenous and Cheers Hong Kong.