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Racing News
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Electrocutionist Delivers Fifth Dubai World Cup For Godolphin 27/03/06
Electrocutionist showed tremendous guts and determination to battle on strongly in the straight to win the 2006 Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race, on Saturday, March 25.
It was the fifth time that Godolphin has been successful in the 10-furlong championship on dirt at Nad Al Sheba in the 11 runnings of the contest.
The task was always going to be difficult from stall one in the 11-strong field for the US$6-million showpiece and when Electrocutionist did not get away as quickly as some others it became even trickier.
Frankie Dettori rode the five-year-old horse along on the inside to maintain their position and they raced in fifth.
This was still the same approaching the straight when they came one off the rail and then, after going for home, Godolphin's main retained rider managed to switch Electrocutionist to the outside.
Giving all, the horse made inexorable progress, passing horses, until he tackled the two leaders Brass Hat and Wilko inside the final furlong, going on about 75 yards out and winning by a length and a half at the line in a time of 2m 1.32s.
The huge crowd was ecstatic and Frankie Dettori did his second flying dismount of the evening after Sheikh Mohammed had led in the winner.
Sheikh Mohammed commented: "I am very proud and happy to win this race because this is our hometown before our people.
"Everybody has come here, enjoyed themselves and had competition with their horses.
"Electrocutionist is a very good athletic horse but I didn't know whether he would run on the sand. He was a grass horse but we took our chance.
"He was training here very well and he won his race before on the sand so we thought he had a good chance. He is a special horse."
The winning jockey declared: "The American horses are so quick at the start and I thought I had it all to do.
"I wanted to be just behind the leaders but I found myself further back than I wanted to be. We were also getting a bit of kickback but not as much as I thought we would.
"Yutaka (Take) was travelling better on Kane Heliki than I was. I had the chance to get out at the five eighths pole (two and a half furlongs out) and took it and that won me the race.
"He had it all to do as he lost some precious energy and ground when I switched him around the field. He is really a grass horse and did not change his lead until 50 yards from the line.
"I wasn't travelling well enough to go past them early on. He had to battle in the straight and I knew he would - it wasn't easy but he has a big heart. We killed off the statistic which said a horse drawn one could not win.
"I was really worried on Wednesday when we drew the one stall and I saw the boss on Thursday night who said unfortunately we cannot change it, just go out and be positive.
"We have a great team, Saeed gives me great confidence and when it comes off it is great. It is my 12th year in Dubai and Godolphin's 13th and for us to win here, for the country, the public and the team means a lot. Every year the pressure gets greater and I am still quite numb.
"It was a tough race but in the end it was a great performance and victory. I did not know that I was really going to win until 20 yards from the line because I could not shake off Brass Hat until then."
Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, said: "Electrocutionist is so tough and so honest. The number one draw was always going to be difficult and we were knocked back on Wednesday when we pulled that stall.
"Frankie has ridden this racecourse many times and we all know that it is not easy for European horses coming out of trap one on dirt. We experienced it with High-Rise and Halling and horses like that - it is extremely difficult.
"We went into this race, knowing against the battle hardened Americans that it was going to be much tougher than some thought
"If you told me this morning that we would have one winner I would have accepted that, to have two is unbelievable. Electrocutionist is the present and Discreet Cat is the future.
"Frankie is in great form and that will boost his confidence before the turf season.
"Early on it looked like Electrocutionist was struggling and off the bridle. Frankie was having to ask him questions too early in the race for my liking.
"I have seen the horse do that before, when he won the Juddmonte International last year, as he was a fair bit back that day.
"He was really getting into top gear in the final furlong - he stays a mile and a half and that may prove to be his best trip.
"He always seems to have a bit left in the tank - every time you ask him there is something extra to give.
"He is a very talented horse, a bit like Swain. He will take the Swain route. He will go back to Europe for races like the Coronation Cup, King George, Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes and if he is doing well in the autumn we will look at the Breeders' Cup Classic back on dirt.
"Electrocutionist has never been good at switching his leads and we were a little concerned at that. That's maybe why it took him a bit of time to get on his right lead and go forward.
"Going into the race we did not know whether he would win, come second, third or fourth. But we would have been disappointed if he hadn't come in the first four."
Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, remarked: "I am very happy - the horse always tries his best and Frankie gave him a very good ride.
"It was a great result and at the end of the day the best horse won."
Godolphin's earlier Dubai World Cup wins came through Moon Ballad in 2003, Street Cry in 2002, Dubai Millennium in 2000 and Almutawakel in 1999.
Impressive Discreet Cat Heads Godolphin One Two
Discreet Cat was the easy winner of the US$2-million UAE Derby from stable companion Testimony and a challenge for the Kentucky Derby is now under consideration.
The three-year-old colt, partnered by Frankie Dettori, won the nine-furlong contest on dirt at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday, March 25, by six lengths despite being eased down in the closing stages.
His time of 1m 48.59s was the second fastest in the seven-year history of the Group Two UAE Derby, only bettered in 2001 by Express Tour, another Godolphin winner.
Discreet Cat was slightly slow into stride as the 13-runner field broke from the stalls but he was soon racing in sixth towards the outside and then went fourth, a position he maintained until entering the straight.
When Frankie Dettori asked the colt to move up, the response was instantaneous and the pair took the lead just over two furlongs from the line.
Discreet Cat stretched and went clear, with his jockey able to coast in over the last 100 yards as Testimony, who had been 11th in the early stages, made relentless progress up the straight to take second by a neck from Flamme De Passion.
Sheikh Mohammed, Godolphin's founder and driving force, said: "The way that Discreet Cat won means we can think positively about the Kentucky Derby but we will have to wait and see how he comes out of this race before deciding what to do."
Frankie Dettori reported: "It was a great performance by Discreet Cat. He surprised me by going so easily in the race and was travelling like the winner all the way around.
"They went a real lick and he settled off the pace. He took me there on the bridle and kept going. I am sure he can stay further.
"He has been training well all winter and his preparation was really good. Today wasn't the Kentucky Derby, but he won really well.
"I don't know how good he is yet because he hasn't tackled the big guns but to be sure it was a very impressive performance.
"For a horse who has only run twice it was amazing. He did not jump great but was straight on the bridle. He travelled very well on a very strong pace and he did everything I asked him. For a horse with little experience, he was a real pro. Let's see what happens in the future."
Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, commented: "Everyone has been so interested in Discreet Cat so there was always a bit of pressure attached to this race.
"It was important for him to prove himself because he was a high-profile purchase. He came out of a good maiden win at Saratoga last year but he had to really deliver here tonight to justify his purchase in the first place so we are very pleased.
"The Kentucky Derby is a very tough race but it all depends on how he is doing in the build-up - how he looks, how he is training and what condition he is in. Everything hinges on the next two weeks.
"It is an exciting idea but the horse has to go forward to be able to run in the Kentucky Derby (Grade One, Churchill Downs, USA, 10 furlongs, May 6). All the options are open to him.
"Long term he will be a superstar and he will definitely establish himself as a top-notch performer in America.
"The UAE Derby was a good race - a solid base - and he came through this proper test really well.
"He lacks experience and that was one of the reasons why we needed the horse to do the talking himself.
"We have to decide which way to go now. He might not be a horse to back up too quickly and we need to decide whether he is ready for the Kentucky Derby. He is quite an immature colt but this race will have helped him a lot.
"He has such talent. Electrocutionist is the present but this horse is the future - he is going places."
Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, added: "This is the third time he has run and he has learnt each time
"He was inexperienced on his first start this year and he improved for that race. He was more relaxed going into the UAE Derby and gave me a good feeling that he would run well.
"Frankie gave him a good ride and looked after the horse really well. Discreet Cat has a good turn of foot. We will see how he comes back from the race and decide later about the Kentucky Derby.
"Nine furlongs was no problem today and he has always shown me in the mornings when he is working that he has plenty of speed.
"I was pleased with the second Testimony and his jockey."
Garrett Gomez, who partnered Testimony, said: "He ran beautiful. He settled back and I followed the Japanese horse through and Testimony split horses when we turned for home.
"I was able to have a great trip after moving him out into the clear. He made a nice run for me and must have a bright future. He felt like the real deal."
Discreet Cat was Godolphin's fifth victor in the UAE Derby, following on from China Visit in 2000, Express Tour in 2001, Essence Of Dubai in 2002 and Blues And Royals last year.
RESULTS FROM THE EMIRATES RACING ASSOCIATION RACING IN DUBAI, UAE DUBAI
RACING CLUB
NAD AL SHEBA RACECOURSE
Saturday 25th March 2006
Dirt Track: Fast.
Turf Track: Good to Firm
Race One. Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr.1), sponsored by EMAAR
Purebred Arabians 2,000m. NH & SH 5yo+. Prizemoney: US$ 250,000. 1st: US$ 150,000. 2nd: US$ 50,000. 3rd: US$ 25,000. 4th: US$ 12,500. 5th: US$7,500. 6th: US$5,000
1. MADJANI (FR) 57kgs
6yo ch h Tidjani – Salama (Sibawaih)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Pierre Hoyeau
Trainer: Gillian Duffield. Jockey: Richard Hills
2. DJELMANE (FR) 57kgs
7yo b h Dormane – Djelifa (Djelfor)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Jean-Marc de Watrigant
Trainer: Doug Watson. Jockey: Gaven Birrer
3. HASNA DE FAUST (FR) 55kgs
5yo b m Dormane – Saboua (Hosni)
Owner: Hamad Mohammed Kadfoor Abdulla Al Mehairi
Breeder: SARL Haras de Saint Faust
Trainer: Satish Seemar. Jockey: Ryan Moore
Then came (in order): Charh (GB), Jilko (FR), Udjidor de Bozouls (GR),
Al
Awal (GB), Arsene Rupin (FR), Agrab Al Nas (FR), Amperor des Cedres (FR),
Djezika (FR). All 11 ran. Margins: 3 ½, ¾, 1 ¾.
Time: 2m 16.29s
Race Two. Godolphin Mile (Gr.2)
sponsored
by Saeed & Mohammed
Al Naboodah Group
Thoroughbreds 1,600m. NH 4yo+ & SH 3yo+. Prizemoney: US$ 1,000,000. 1st: US$ 600,000. 2nd: US$ 200,000. 3rd: US$ 100,000. 4th: US$ 50,000 5th: US$30,000. 6th: US$20,000
1. UTOPIA (JPN) 57kgs
6yo ch h Forty Niner – Dream Vision (Northern Taste)
Owner: Makoto Kaneko
Breeder: Northern Farm
Trainer: Kojiro Hashiguchi (Japan). Jockey: Yutaka Take
2. WIN RIVER WIN (USA) 57kgs
7yo b h Virginia Rapids – Thirty Zip (Tri Jet)
Owner: Yildirim Gelgin
Breeder: James G Bell
Trainer: Cemal Kurt (Turkey). Jockey: Halas Karatas
3. JACK SULLIVAN (USA) 57kgs
5yo ch g Belong to Me – Provisions (Devil’s Bag)
Owner: The International Carnival Partnership
Breeder: Hermitage Farms LLC
Trainer: Gerard Butler. Jockey: Eddie Ahern
Then came (in order): Marbush (IRE), Shamoan (IRE), Court Masterpiece
(GB),
Island Fashion (USA), Blatant (GB), Lundy’s Liability (BRZ), Holiday
Camp
(USA). All10 ran. Margins: 4, nk, hd Time: 1m 35.88s
Race Three. UAE Derby (Gr.2), sponsored by Jebel Ali International Hotels
Thoroughbreds 1,800m. NH & SH 3yo. Prizemoney: US$ 2,000,000. 1st: US$ 1,200,000. 2nd: US$ 400,000. 3rd: US$ 200,000. 4th: US$ 100,000 5th: US$60,000. 6th: US$40,000
1. DISCREET CAT (USA) 55kgs
3yo b c Forestry – Pretty Discreet (Private Account)
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: E Paul Robsham
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor. Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori
2. TESTIMONY (USA) 55kgs
3yo b c Yes It’s True – Kit Kat Kitty (Pentilicus)
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Johnson Hollow Farm
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor (UAE). Jockey: Garrett Gomez
3. FLAMME DE PASSION (JPN) 55kgs
3yo gr c Kurofune – Curley Passion (Tony Bin)
Owner: Sunday Racing Co Ltd
Breeder: Northern Farm
Trainer: Katsuhiko Sumii (Japan). Jockey: Yutaka Take
Then came (in order): Invasor (ARG), Dominguin (PER), Simpatico Bribon
(CHI), Gaburin (AUS), Where’s That Tiger (USA), My Royal Captain
(NZ), Gold
For Sale (ARG), Well Armed (USA), Jackson (BRZ), Unification (CAN). All
13
ran. Margins: 6, nk, ¾. Time: 1m 48.59s
Race Four. Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), sponsored by Gulf News
Thoroughbreds 1,200m. NH & SH 3yo+. Prizemoney: US$ 2,000,000. 1st: US$ 1,200,000. 2nd: US$ 400,000. 3rd: US$ 200,000. 4th: US$ 100,000. 5th: US$60,000. 6th: US$40,000
1. PROUD TOWER TOO (USA) 57kgs
4yo b c Proud Irish – Dora’s Tower (Irish Tower)
Owner: Tricar Stables Inc
Breeder: Tricar Stables Inc
Trainer: Sal Gonzalez (USA). Jockey: David Cohen
2. THOR’S ECHO (USA) 57kgs
4yo ch g Swiss Yodeler – Helen of Troy (Mr Integrity)
Owner: Royce S Jamie Racing Stable & Saurez Racing Inc
Breeder: Fast Lane Farms & Block & Forman
Trainer: Doug O’Neill (USA). Jockey: Corey Nakatani
3. JET WEST (USA) 57kgs
5yo b h Western Fame – Jetinwith Kennedy)
Owner: Bruce Hochman
Breeder: Applebite Farms
Trainer: Ted West (USA). Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Then came (in order): Captain Squire (USA), Gaff (USA), Agnes Jedi (JPN),
Tropical Star (IRE), Perfectly Ready (AUS), Azul de Guanabara (BRZ),
Thajja
(IRE), Heart Alone (BRZ), The Lord (ARG), Howick Falls (USA), Conroy
(USA),
Raging Creek (USA). All 15 ran. Margins: 1 ¼, ¾, ½.
Time: 1m 09.86s
Race Five. Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1), sponsored by Nakheel
Thoroughbreds 2,400m. NH & SH 4yo+. (TURF) Prizemoney: US$ 5,000,000. 1st: US$ 3,000,000. 2nd: US$ 1,000,000. 3rd: US$ 500,000. 4th: US$ 150,000. 5th: US$150,000. 6th: US$100,000
1. HEART’S CRY (JPN) 56kgs
5yo b h Sunday Silence – Irish Dance (Tony Bin)
Owner: Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd
Breeder: Shadai Farm
Trainer: Kojiro Hashiguchi (Japan). Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
2. COLLIER HILL (GB) 56kgs
8yo ch g Dr Devious – Polar Queen (Polish Precedent)
Owner: J D Abell, R Crowe & R H Hall
Breeder: George Strawbridge
Trainer: Alan Swinbank (GB). Jockey: Dean McKeown
3. FALSTAFF (IRE) 56kgs
4yo b c Montjeu – Dance of Love (Pursuit of Love)
Owner: B Kantor & L M Nestadt
Breeder: Gerard Callinan
Trainer: Mike de Kock (South Africa). Jockey: Kevin Shea
Then came (in order): Ouija Board (GB), Alexander Goldrun (IRE), Alayan
(IRE), Layman (USA), Norse Dancer (IRE), Mustanfar (USA), Punch Punch
(BRZ),
Oracle West (SAF), Relaxed Gesture (IRE), Greys Inn (USA), Shanty Star
(IRE). All 14 ran. Margins: 4 ¼, 1 ¼, 3 ½. Time:
2m 31.89s
Race Six. Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1), sponsored by Dubai Duty Free.
Thoroughbreds 1,777m. NH 4yo+ & SH 3yo+ (TURF). Second leg of the Asian Mile Challenge. Prizemoney: US$ 5,000,000. 1st: US$ 3,000,000. 2nd: US$ 100,000. 3rd: US$ 500,000. 4th: US$ 250,000. 5th: US$150,000. 6th: US$100,000
1. DAVID JUNIOR (USA) 57kgs
4yo ch c Pleasant Tap – Paradise River (Irish River)
Owner: Roldvale Ltd & Gold Group International
Breeder: Arthur I Appleton
Trainer: Brian Meehan (GB). Jockey: Jamie Spencer
2. THE TIN MAN (USA) 57kgs
8yo b g Affirmed – Lizzie Rolfe (Tom Rolfe)
Owner: Ralph & Aury Todd
Breeder: Ralph Todd & Aury Todd
Trainer: Richard Mandella (USA). Jockey: Victor Espinoza
3. SEIHALI (IRE) 57kgs
7yo b h Alzao – Edwina (Caerleon)
Owner: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Rathbarry Stud
Trainer: Dhruba Selvaratnam (UAE). Jockey: John Murtagh
Then came (in order): Host (CHI), Bullish Luck (USA), Perfect Promise
(SAF),
Fields Of Omagh (AUS), Touch of Land (FR), Russian Pearl (NZ), Tyson
(SAF),
Whilly (IRE), Hat Trick (JPN), Linngari (IRE), Valixir (IRE), Asakusa
Den’en
(GB). 15 ran. Withdrawn: Irridescence (SAF).
Margins: 3 ½, 1 ¼, 1 ¾. Time: 1m 49.65s
Race Seven. Dubai World Cup (Gr.1), sponsored by Emirates.
Thoroughbreds 2,000m. NH 4yo+ & SH 3yo+. Prizemoney: US$ 6,000,000. 1st: US$ 3,600,000. 2nd: US$ 1,200,000. 3rd: US$ 600,000. 4th: US$ 300,000. 5th: US$ 180,000. 6th: US$ 120,000
1. ELECTROCUTIONIST (USA) 57kgs
5yo b h Red Ransom – Eibaaha (Arazi)
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Compagnia Generale
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor (UAE). Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori
2. BRASS HAT (USA) 57kgs
5yo b g Prized – Brassy (Dixie Brass)
Owner: Fred F Bradley
Breeder: Fred F Bradley
Trainer: William Bradley (USA). Jockey: Willie Martinez
3. WILKO (USA) 57kgs
4yo ch c Awesome Again – Native Roots (Indian Ridge)
Owner: Mr. J Paul Redam & Mrs Susan Roy
Breeder: Ro Parra
Trainer: Jeremy Noseda (GB). Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Then came (in order): Magna Graduate (USA), Kane KHekili (JPN), Chiquitin
(ARG), Maraahel (IRE), Star King Man (USA), Super Frolic (USA), Choctaw
Nation (USA), Shakis (IRE). All 11 ran. Margins: 1 ½, 3, 2 ¾.
Time: 2m
01.32s
