Godolphin racked up four of the five prizes on offer for the thoroughbreds in week two of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan on Thursday.
It included the two feature races for the fillies and mares – the Group 2 Cape Verdi won by Althiqa under James Doyle, and Frankie Dettori on Soft Whisper taking the UAE 1000 Guineas.
Dettori had the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Soft Whisper in the lead from the outset. She then went clear on the home stretch to win by seven lengths to give Bin Suroor his 12th success in the race first run in 2001.
Dettori believes Bin Suroor will have many options to run her in both the UAE Oaks and the Derby, and the Saudi Derby on February 20.
“I really don’t know how good she can be but can’t be more impressive than that her win tonight,” he said.
“She goes on the dirt surface like she was born on it. That’s a big plus. Today she jumped and was very competitive throughout. She was the winner from the halfway mark.”
Dettori, 50, has had “great memories” in Dubai during his 18 years as the first jockey for Godolphin. His success was his fourth in the race, and third for Bin Suroor.
“I have great memories with Saeed in Dubai and I’m enjoying it,” he said. “I haven’t got many years left so I’ll try to enjoy as much as I can.”
Dettori completed a double for Bin Suroor when he took the concluding handicap on board Bedouin’s Story.
Appleby also completed a double with Ya Hayati, ridden by Mickael Barzalona taking the Listed Zabeel Turf, before Althiqa’s victory in the Cape Verdi, coming from last to first to win from Roger Varian’s British raider Stylistique.
“I didn’t begin quick and after a furlong I was pretty happy to take my time along with the fractions,” Doyle said.
“She was nicely relaxed at the back and after the turn for home she showed a good turn of foot. The mile is her range but she saw out the nine furlongs very well.”
Uruguayan trainer Antonio Cintra made his long trip to Dubai a rewarding one by taking the Al Bastakiya Trial with El Patriota in a thoroughbred card dominated by Godolphin.
Helal Al Alawi’s RB Frynchh Dude under Pat Cosgrave won the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 for the Purebred Arabians to complete back-to-back success on the track and trip.
