Grandera returns with a win
Grandera returned to action in Dubai with a bang this afternoon, taking the Group Two Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge Round III at Nad Al Sheba on his seasonal debut.
The five-year-old took the 10 furlong dirt event to become the final winner of a four-timer for jockey Frankie Dettori and trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.
Godolphin’s two other runners in the race, Essence Of Dubai and Califet, were fifth and unplaced respectively.
Highest made a successful debut for Godolphin by taking the Group Three Dubai City Of Gold over 12 furlongs on turf.
The four-year-old Selkirk colt, who was purchased from Highclere Thoroughbred Racing at the end of last season, was settled towards the rear of the 12-strong field.
He gradually improved his position and Dettori sent him to the front two furlongs out and he won nicely, with three-quarters of a length to spare over Grand Ekinoks.
Stable companion Narrative, partnered by Richard Hills, finished a respectable fourth while the John Carroll-ridden Fight Your Corner was fifth after finding no more inside the final furlong.
Godolphin’s other runner Beekeeper failed to make any impression and finished 11th.
Inamorato will go for the UAE Derby after a convincing success in the Al Bastikiya over nine furlongs on dirt.
The colt, who is now unbeaten in two starts, made all for an easy victory in the Prestige race. The Group Two $2m (€1.82m) UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup day is now his target.
Godolphin’s Simon Crisford told the official website: “Inamorato has been showing so much speed at home and he has plenty of potential.
“We were very confident that he could win tonight and he will go to the UAE Derby. He is one of our entries in America’s Triple Crown races. He has done nothing wrong and is giving all the right signals.
“He only raced once last season in America because he had a tickly shin and he was given plenty of time to develop and mature. Hopefully, the fruits of that patience will be seen in future months.
“We have had some very good three-year-olds running here in previous years and hopefully he will match up with the best of them.”
Dettori and Bin Suroor’s four-timer was initiated by Imtiyaz who was a six and a half length winner in the Burj Nahaar, the prep race for the Godolphin Mile.
Mugharreb finished second while Bin Suroor also saddled Equerry (John Carroll) to finish third.
The Godolphin team were out of luck though in the Group Three Jebel Hatta as South African mare Ipi Tombe stormed home by three and three quarter lengths.
Former Dermot Weld inmate Sights On Gold was second for Bin Suroor while Highdown and Naheef were sixth and seventh respectively.
John Hammond’s Crystal Castle was by no means in disgraced in fourth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen trial, the Mahab Al Shimaal over six furlongs.
