Regal Ransom increased Godolphin's Group One winners in America this season to five by winning the Super Derby on Saturday. The record of the Dubai stable, who tasted victory here in 2002 with Essence of Dubai, has improved markedly in the second half of 2009 and the return to form of Regal Ransom, back after a four-month lay-off due to inflammation just below the hock areas of his hind legs, encapsulates the boys in blue's change in fortunes.
A son of Distorted Humor, Regal Ransom made all the running in the 1m1f race, claiming victory by 1 1/4 lengths over Blame. "My horse was travelling so comfortably and relaxed," said the jockey Richard Migliore. "I really felt like a winner in the first turn." Regal Ransom started the season well with a win over stablemate, Desert Party in the Group Two UAE Derby on World Cup night, before his disappointing eighth-place finish at the Kentucky Derby in May.
According to assistant trainer Rick Mettee, the foundations for his comeback were laid in Dubai, with the colt building on strong work at the new tapeta training track; a surface expected to be used for the new Meydan track. "He really responded well to the time off," said Mettee. "We're not surprised that he ran a big race. We didn't expect to win maybe this easy. But we weren't surprised." "We all thought he might be tired coming out of this race, this being his first since May, but given how easy he won, we might have to look at some other options."
stregoning@thenational.ae
