UAE-based trainer Doug Watson stamped his name on the $1-million Godolphin Mile (G2) for the third time at Meydan Racecourse Saturday after Isolate did as his name suggested and kept himself ahead of the pack, going wire-to-wire under United States-based jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
The 5-year-old Mark Valeski horse broke well and hit the front with defending champion Bathrat Leon in close quarters alongside fellow Japan traveler Win Carnelian. Isolate traveled strongly and after turning for home with the least of urgings, he stretched fully to run home 5 1/2 lengths clear.
Time was 1:35.71, just off the track record of 1:35.21 set by Watson-trained One Man Band in 2016 Godolphin Mile.
Fellow UAE-trained Law Of Peace, Bhupat Seemar's charge, encountered immense traffic after a poor break yet found his way into second bravely in the hands of Richard Mullen, while Antonio Cintra's Atletico El Culano took third a further three-quarters adrift in the hands of Jose da Silva.
Bathrat Leon took fourth a further neck back for Yahagi and Ryusei Sakai, while Everfast, another trained by Watson, was fifth another head back under Oscar Chavez.
“I'm just thrilled for Sheikh Rashid (bin Humaid al Nuaimi) and the whole team at home,” Watson said. “I've been here for almost 30 years, I've progressed from being in charge of the ambulance at the first Dubai World Cup to now having winners on the night. It's quite remarkable.
“It's unbelievable, he's big and long and you saw the way he broke, he didn't shoot out of the gates–you have to ride him along. Once he gets into his stride, he's pretty amazing.
“Tyler did a great job getting him out and going, getting a nice pace on and he stays a mile, we can definitely say that now. I wasn't quite sure until he turned in and there wasn't much going with him.”
Gaffalione said: “I felt it going into the gate. He gave me this unbelievable feeling. He always breaks a step slow, but when I asked him he had so much power and the plan worked perfectly. That was amazing.
“I was supposed to ride here with Sir Winston in 2020, but obviously it didn't go ahead. I've always dreamed of winning here and to have achieved it, it's so special.”
Godolphin Mile Quotes:
Law Of Peace (2nd), jockey Richard Mullen said: “Very good after the start.”
Atletico El Culano (3rd), jockey Jose da Silva said: “So proud of him today.”
Assistant trainer Julio Olascoaga added: “He ran a great race, we're very happy for the horse & connections. Deserved a good result. Ended up being a proper miler when we always thought 2000m was his best.”
Everfast (5th), jockey Oscar Chavez said: “I couldn't be happier with the run. He tried really hard and only got tired the last 50m otherwise I think we get placed.”
Discovery Island (7th), jockey James Doyle said: “Never happy with him, never had much energy about him. He just ran a little bit flat.”
Raaeb (8th), jockey Dane O'Neill said: “He ran a solid race, we were just in a different league today.”
Desert Wisdom (9th), jockey Adrie De Vries said: “He just got shuffled back a little bit. He jumped out trying to follow the Japanese horse and then there was a bit of shuffling and I got shuffled back a few positions.”
Golden Goal (10th), jockey Sam Hitchcott said: “Wide draw did for us. Couldn't get in and the race got away on us.”
Royal Mews (12th), jockey Tadhg O'Shea said: “He never travelled really.”
Prince Eiji (13th), jockey Pat Dobbs said: “He got very upset beforehand and was never at the races today.”
Egot (14th), jockey Mickael Barzalona said: “Raced in midfield but not much to say after that.”
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