Charlie Appleby | Horse Racing Free Tips

Dubawi’s Space Blues Takes The City Of York

Godolphin's Saturday at York had started in ideal fashion and got better as TDN Rising Star Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came back to near his peak over his favoured trip in the seven-furlong G2 Sky Bet City of York S. Last year's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero had needed his European return when fourth in Goodwood's G2 Lennox S. July 27 and was kept away from the frantic speed duel up ahead anchored towards the rear by William Buick. Making smooth progress wide to take control passing the two-furlong pole, the 11-8 favourite employed his superior speed from there to score by 1 1/2 lengths from Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), with another Godolphin runner in Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) a neck away in third. “He settles well in his races nowadays, but the loose ground on top was a bit of an unknown–it's shifting a bit beneath the horses–and he was struggling with it early on,” Buick explained. “When he changed gear and lowered himself, he really found his stride. The Lennox didn't work out as we hoped it would and he was entitled to come on for that run. I think he is quick enough for six furlongs, but I'm not sure that he is at his best over that distance. A stiff six on good or softer ground might suit but, when you look through his form, the best of it is over six and a half and seven.”

Space Blues, whose record at this distance reads seven wins from 10 starts, had continued his winning sequence in Riyadh's 1351 Turf Sprint Feb. 20 but lost his sheen of invulnerability when only ninth in the six-furlong G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Mar. 27. Charlie Appleby was happy to see him back to his smooth-travelling best here and said, “We were very pleased with Space Blues, who went into the race as the one to beat and did it nicely. The aim now will be to go straight to the [Oct. 3] G1 Prix de la Foret on Arc weekend. We have tried to get him to that race for the last couple of years, but hopefully we can get a clean run with him this time.”

The dam Miss Lucifer (Fr) (Noverre) was also at her best over seven furlongs, winning the G2 Challenge S. and Listed October S. at the trip. She is also responsible for the four times group-winning Shuruq (Elusive Quality), who is in turn the dam of the GIII The Very One S. winner and the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. runner-up Antoinette (Hard Spun) and the GIII Jimmy Durante S. runner-up Javanica (Medaglia d'Oro). This is the family of the G1 Premio Roma heroine High Hawk (Ire), who is renowned as the dam of the triple group 1-winning Breeders' Cup Turf hero and leading sire In the Wings (GB), the G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo) and the G1 Matron S. heroine Chachamaidee (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). Miss Lucifer has the unraced 3-year-old filly Beautiful Future (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Dark Angel (Ire).

Saturday, York, Britain
SKY BET CITY OF YORK S.-G2, £213,000, York, 8-21, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:22.60, gd.
1–SPACE BLUES (IRE), 132, h, 5, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Miss Lucifer (Fr) (GSW-Eng, $193,403), by Noverre
2nd Dam: Devil's Imp (Ire), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
3rd Dam: High Spirited (Ire), by Shirley Heights (GB)
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £120,792. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-Fr at 5-7f & G1SW-Fr, 17-9-3-1, $1,313,807. *1/2 to Shuruq (Elusive Quality), Hwt. Older Mare-UAE at 7-9.5f, MGSW-UAE, GSW-Tur & GSP-Eng, $658,709. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Highfield Princess (Fr), 129, f, 4, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill. (29,000gns RNA Ylg '18 TATDEY). O/B-Trainers House Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-John Quinn. £45,795.
3–Glorious Journey (GB), 132, g, 6, Dubawi (Ire)–Fallen For You (GB), by Dansili (GB). (2,600,000gns Ylg '16 TATOCT). O-HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing; B-Normandie Stud Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £22,919.
Margins: 1HF, NK, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.38, 8.50, 8.50.
Also Ran: Sir Busker (Ire), Safe Voyage (Ire), Pogo (Ire), Fivethousandtoone (Ire), Primo Bacio (Ire), Lord of the Lodge (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Dubawi’s Yibir Takes The Voltigeur

Further evidence that Charlie Appleby holds all the aces in the 3-year-old middle-distance colt department was in plain view on Wednesday as Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had his turn on the Moulton Paddocks carrousel of success in York's G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. Backed into 6-1 before the off, the July 8 G3 Bahrain Trophy winner who was last seen finishing sixth in the G3 Gordon S. over this 12-furlong trip at Goodwood July 29 was dropped out in rear early by James Doyle as Ballydoyle's outsider The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set a searching pace. Making up the margin with ease to take command approaching the furlong pole, the chestnut stayed on to secure a 1 1/4-length success from the long-time leader, with Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) half a length behind in third. “When Yibir is like he was today and in the Bahrain Trophy, he is pretty straightforward,” Doyle said. “He drops his head and relaxes really well. We wanted to get the first part of the race right and then build away from there. It couldn't have worked out much better, really. He has won the Bahrain Trophy and stays very well, but he has got quite a potent kick.”

Yibir came back from a juvenile campaign which culminated in success in Newbury's prestigious Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions S. to run third behind Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in one of the strongest renewals of the G3 Sandown Classic Trial of recent times Apr. 23. Dropping his level when fourth in Chester's Listed Dee S. May 6 and when four-lengths second to the subsequent G1 Irish Derby runner-up Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Goodwood's Listed Cocked Hat S. May 21, the imposing homebred was gelded and showed instant benefit by dominating the 13-furlong Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket's July festival before flopping again in the Gordon.

With William Buick on the G2 Queen's Vase winner Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), James Doyle was able to extend his tally to three-for-three on Yibir as that stablemate and another notable contender in High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) failed to fire. With the G1 Grand Prix de Paris fourth The Mediterranean and the Juddmonte International runner-up Alenquer upholding the form of the current hot favourite for that Doncaster Classic in Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), it may be this edition diverts from its usual guise as a font of St Leger candidates. Yibir, who is unable to line up in the final Classic, came from the back in a first-time hood here along with the Gordon runner-up Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Youth Spirit and the race was ultimately run perfectly to suit.

Appleby is looking at a tilt at Belmont's GI Jockey Club Derby Sept. 18 with Yibir. “We've always held him in high regard, because he is such a powerful galloper in the mornings and I have to give a lot of credit to Shane Fetherstonhaugh, who rides him and all the team at home who have handled him,” he said. “The plan was always to leave the hood on today, bury him and get him racing the right way round. He is gelded, so we plan to have him around hopefully for the next few years and I thought it was important to get him racing back in the right manner. He is in the [Sept. 12] G1 Irish St Leger [at The Curragh], but one of our potential plans was to go to North America with him for the Jockey Club Derby. I think he would take a lot of experience there–he hasn't missed a beat this year and is a horse with some constitution. Hopefully, he can become one of those fun international campaigners. I'm disappointed with Kemari, as the drop in trip was not a concern beforehand and he didn't gallop out. We'll see if anything comes out in the wash.”

Yibir is the third black-type winner for the Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial S. scorer Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) alongside his G1 Nassau S., G1 Prix de l'Opera and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac-winning full-sister Wild Illusion (GB) and the Listed Montrose Fillies' S. scorer Really Special (GB) (Shamardal). Also a half to the G3 Prix d'Aumale runner-up Ceratonia (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), he is a grandson of the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin winner Royal Dubai (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}) connected to the GI Beverly D. heroine Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). Also from the family of the G1 Dubai World Cup and G1 Juddmonte International hero Electrocutionist (Red Ransom), Rumh's 2-year-old colt Wild Crusade (GB) is a full-brother to the winner and Wild Illusion while her yearling colt is by Golden Horn (GB).

Wednesday, York, Britain
SKY BET GREAT VOLTIGEUR S.-G2, £150,000, York, 8-18, 3yo, c/g, 11f 188yT, 2:28.27, gd.
1–YIBIR (GB), 126, g, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Rumh (Ger) (SW-Eng), by Monsun (Ger)
2nd Dam: Royal Dubai (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB)
3rd Dam: Reem Dubai (Ire), by Nashwan
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. £85,065. Lifetime Record: 10-4-1-2, $280,580. *1/2 to Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), SW-Eng, SP-UAE, $108,180; Full to Wild Illusion (GB), G1SW-Eng, MG1SW-Fr, GISP-US, $1,590,217. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–The Mediterranean (Ire), 126, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Flashy Wings (GB), by Zafonic. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Lynch Bages Ltd & Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £32,250.
3–Youth Spirit (Ire), 126, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Rocana (GB), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). (€60,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; €100,000 RNA Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Ahmad Al Shaikh; B-Ringfort Stud & Paul Hancock (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £16,140.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, NO. Odds: 6.00, 16.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Sir Lucan (Ire), Scope (Ire), High Definition (Ire), Third Realm (GB), Kemari (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Half-Brother To Dee Ex Bee Set For Wolves Debut

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a sibling to a talented stayer.

17.35 Wolverhampton, Nov, £10,050, 2yo, 7f 36y (AWT)
Godolphin's AL JADDAF (GB) (Shamardal), representing the Charlie Appleby team, is a half-brother to G3 Sagaro S. and G3 Henry II S. victor Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who placed six times at the highest level including runner-up finishes in the G1 Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot's G1 Gold Cup. The April-foaled homebred bay faces six rivals in this low-key unveiling.

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Rose Of Lancaster Headlines Saturday Action

Still an unknown quantity on turf, Godolphin's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) takes the next step up the ladder in Saturday's G3 Rose of Lancaster S. at Haydock. Coming off an impressive success in Royal Ascot's Royal Hunt Cup June 16 to annexe the Listed Steventon S. over this 10-furlong trip at Newbury July 17, the 4-year-old is the kingpin of the Saeed bin Suroor stable and he said, “He has come back well from Newbury and he's an improving horse. He's been working well and we're happy with him now. We'll see how he gets on, but he's got some options in Group 1 races later in the year. I think good ground will be fair for him and if the rain comes we'll just have to see how he handles it.” Also featuring is the May 27 G3 Brigadier Gerard S. winner Euchen Glen (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), who was second to another bin Suroor trainee in Passion and Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the 12-furlong G3 Glorious S. at Goodwood last Friday, and King Power Racing's June 19 Golden Gates H. winner Foxes Tales (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). The latter looks the pick of a pair of 3-year-olds and trainer Andrew Balding said, “I think the track should suit him and hopefully he gives a good performance.”

At Newmarket, there is another Godolphin representative to take centre stage among the 2-year-old fillies in the G3 Sweet Solera S. in the Charlie Appleby-trained Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Last seen chasing home the unbeaten Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the Listed Star S. over this seven-furlong trip at Sandown July 22, the bay sets the standard on that effort and her handler commented, “I was pleased with the filly last time out and she has come out of that race at Sandown in good form. The winner was very impressive, but she put up another game performance finishing second. If she reproduces that run again, it would make her very competitive and probably the one to beat. She is pretty versatile with whatever ground we encounter at the weekend as she has won on soft ground and run well on quick ground.”

Mark Johnston has won this four times with three of them coming since 2014 and he puts forward the July 17 course-and-distance novice winner Value Theory (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) silks. “We could have gone a slightly more cautious route, but the fact she won over course and distance on what is probably going to be similar ground were two positives to come here,” Charlie Johnston said. “I'm not sure of the strength of her win last time out, but she could do no more than beat what was in front of her and I would like to think she would improve again. She is a nice straightforward filly and if she runs into the 90s she should be good enough to reach the frame.” Another 2-year-old filly of note takes part in Deauville's five-furlong Listed Prix de la Vallee d'Auge in Stonestreet Stables' June 16 G2 Queen Mary S. runner-up Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}), the first of the meeting's Wesley Ward-Frankie Dettori specials.

Sunday's 6 1/2-furlong G1 LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest will feature a dozen sprinters including Stonestreet and Ward's star performer Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who returns to the scene of her victory in the G1 Prix Morny over six at last year's meeting. She is drawn in six next door to David Ward's G1 July Cup hero Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) in seven, while Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's 'TDN Rising Star' Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is widest of all in 12. He re-opposes his July 11 G1 Prix Jean Prat conqueror Laws of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}), who is drawn against the stand's rail in one as the overseas challengers look to dominate.

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