Dubawi has Godolphin purring ahead of Guineas
The Dubai Millennium colt is around evens with the leading bookmakers to give Godolphin their third win in the first colts’ Classic after Mark Of Esteem (1996) and Island Sands (1999).
Dubawi, unbeaten in three starts at two including the Group One National Stakes, will be one of two runners for the boys in blue, with Sirenia Stakes winner Satchem also taking his chance.
“Dubawi is unbeaten and has already won a Group One race. He has wintered well in Dubai and was impressive in a trial there earlier this month,” trainer Saeed Bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com.
“He came out of the trial very well and is in good form. His final piece of work was on Saturday and I am really happy with him.”
Satchem is making his debut for Godolphin after finishing a good fourth to Ad Valorem in the Middle Park Stakes.
Bin Suroor added: “He is a Group Three winner and came third in the recent trial behind Dubawi.
“He is a tough horse and always gives his best. He is training well and looks in good condition.”
John Gosden, responsible for Iceman, believes that Dubawi has “the best credentials”.
“It’s a hot race with Dubawi, who has the best credentials. His form is very solid in the National Stakes, a Group One. He’s a legitimate favourite,” he told Racing UK.
“He’s obviously trialled very well and Godolphin are very high on the horse, and quite rightly so. He’s got it all on his record book.
“Having said that you’ve got Iceman and Rob Roy coming out of the same trial (Craven Stakes), both finishing well. Take nothing from the winner (Democratic Deficit). He might have got a clear run but he still came from last. He’s a solid horse.
“The favourite will know he’s been in a battle with them. They can race. Rob Roy is a big improver who will probably be suited by further in time, so it’s a race where there will be a lot of them going the right way at the end.”
Nineteen colts have been declared for the race with Aidan O’Brien, bidding for a third 2000 Guineas, relying on Footstepsinthesand and Oratorio.
