Meydan | Horse Racing Free Tips

Althiqa Prevails In The Cape Verdi

Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was a model of consistency for trainer Charlie Appleby last season at three, and she continued in that vein on seasonal debut at Meydan on Thursday while picking up a first pattern-race win in the G2 Cape Verdi.

The winner of her lone 2-year-old start in May of 2019 before undergoing a wind surgery, Althiqa resurfaced in a seven-furlong novice event at Newmarket on June 14, which she won by 7 1/2 lengths. Returning 11 days later for the Listed Eternal Fillies' S. again over seven furlongs at Haydock, Althiqa was three-quarters of a length behind the winning Under The Stars (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) when third, and collected her first black-type score next out in Deauville's Listed Prix Amandine. Beaten just a length behind the great One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) when third in the G3 Oak Tree S. at Glorious Goodwood, Althiqa was second back at Deauville in the G3 Prix Lieurey going a mile over the heavy ground and wrapped up her season when second in Doncaster's G3 Sceptre Fillies' S. on Sept. 9. Going back up to a mile once again on Thursday, Althiqa jumped from the extreme outside gate nine under James Doyle and had all of her rivals up ahead as William Buick set the pace aboard her stablemate Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), the winner of last year's G3 Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom.

With about five lengths to make up at the quarter pole, Althiqa swung widest of all but was moving noticably smoothly as she followed the winding-up Stylistique (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in her run. That pair set their sights on the still-leading Summer Romance inside the final quarter mile and provided a bit of drama when ducking towards the rail, but Althiqa emerged from the skirmishes in full flight and hit the wire 2 1/4 lengths the good.

“She has really quickened nicely there when I asked her,” said jockey James Doyle. “Analysing the race beforehand there looked to be a few who would go on, so after a slow start, I was happy to settle her in behind. She really hit the line well, so will definitely be worth a crack at the extra 200m in the Balanchine S. Before tonight, we thought 1600m was as far as she would want to go, so that was very pleasing.”

Pedigree Notes

Althiqa is the first foal out of the Listed Boadicea Fillies S. scorer Mistrusting (Ire) (Shamardal), who 3-year-old, Magical Land (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), was placed twice last year and who also has the 2-year-old filly Before Dawn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a yearling colt also by Althiqa's sire. Rabbah Bloodstock purchased Althiqa's second dam, the G2 Cherry Hinton S. winner Misheer (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), for 70,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2.

Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
CAPE VERDI PRESENTED BY LONGINES-G2, $163,000, Meydan, 1-28, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:35.08, gd.
1–ALTHIQA (GB), 126, f, 4, Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Mistrusting (Ire) (SW-Eng, $120,206),
by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Misheer (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
3rd Dam: All For Laura (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby;
J-James Doyle. $97,800. Lifetime Record: 8-4-2-2, $170,543.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: A++.
2–Stylistique (GB), 126, f, 4, Dansili (GB)–Sleek (GB), by Oasis
Dream (GB). O-Yvonne Jacques; B-Carisbrooke Stud (GB);
T-Roger Varian. $32,600.
3–Dubai Love (GB), f, 4, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Devotion (Ire),
by Dylan Thomas (Ire). (120,000gns Wlg '17 TATFOA).
O-Godolphin; B-Petches Farm Ltd (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor.
$16,300.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1, 1. Also Ran: Silent Night (Swe), Summer Romance (Ire), Perfect Inch (GB), Quiet Times (Ger), Last Look (Ire), Stunning Beauty (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.

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Females Centre Stage at Meydan on Thursday

Meydan's G2 Cape Verdi is the highlight on the Dubai Wold Cup Carnival card on Jan. 28. Of the eight fillies and mares signed on to the one-mile feature, a quintet carry the Godolphin blue and the highest rated at 108 is the Group 3 winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). A listed winner at Newmarket as a juvenile, the Charlie Appleby charge won the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom on July 4 and was last of six in the G1 Prix Rothschild after making all for most of that contest. Her listed-winning and MGSP stablemate Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was last seen running second in the G3 Sceptre Fillies' S. in September.

“They are two nice fillies,” said Appleby, who has won the Cape Verdi the past two years. “Althiqa was very consistent in Europe last year, winning a listed race and placing in a Group 3. She looks ideal for this test.

“Summer Romance has wintered really well and has thrived in the sunshine. Her last start in a Group 1 just did not go to plan, but she showed at Epsom that she is a very useful filly.”

Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Love (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) won the 2020 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas last January and followed up with a distant second in the G3 UAE Oaks on Feb. 20. Third in the Listed Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday in March, the bay was given some time off and returned to England for two mores starts, with her final appearance being a fourth in the G3 Musidora S. in July. She is joined by the three-for-three Aug. 23 Ffos Las handicap heroine Last Look (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Stunning Beauty (Ire) (Shamardal), undefeated in a pair of novice stakes at Newmarket and Leicester in July and August, respectively.

“Stunning Beauty is a very talented, but somewhat quirky filly,” Bin Suroor said. “She looks the ideal type for the Cape Verdi and is unbeaten as is Last Look who has been given plenty of time as she is a bit fragile.

“Dubai Love is just a tough, genuine and versatile filly who landed the UAE 1000 Guineas on dirt last year.”

Charlie Fellowes sends out Anthony Oppenheimer homebred Perfect Inch (GB) in her first group test. The roan 4-year-old was second to Roger Varian's GSP Stylistique (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in the Listed Petite Etoile at Deauville on Nov. 24. Black-type winner Quiet Times (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) finished second in Deauville's Listed Prix Miss Satamixa on Dec. 19 for trainer Pia Brandt; while Norwegian 1000 Guineas heroine Silent Night (Swe) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), who placed in a listed stake at Meydan last year, enters off a third in the Listed Lanwades Stud S. at Bro Park on Sept. 20.

Thursday's Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Presented by Longines features seven sophomore fillies, with the most accomplished being the three-time winner Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Bearing the royal blue of Godolphin, the Saeed bin Suroor trainee has won her last three starts-breaking her maiden at Salisbury on Aug. 21, a four-length score at Pontefract on Sept. 24 and a 2 1/2-length tally in her Jan. 7 Meydan bow going 1400 metres. She faces several undefeated rivals including a pair from trainer Doug Watson.

Bin Suroor said: “Soft Whisper won twice in Britain last year and did well to win the trial after a slow start. The extra 200m should suit and we are expecting a big run.”

His 96-rated Mnasek (Empire Maker) drew off by 6 3/4 lengths in her lone start going seven panels on Dec. 17, with both the second and third-trainer Nicholas Bachalard's Nayefah (Super Saver) and Watson's Heshmah (Kitten's Joy)-also taking part in the first UAE Classic of the season. Owner Charles Fipke's Super Chianti (Super Saver) duly saluted for Watson when unveiled in a 1200-metre maiden race at Meydan on Nov. 19. For some Swedish flavour, Khatun (GB) (French Navy {GB}), representing the Dina Danekilde yard, breaks from the widest stall in seven after taking a six-furlong turf feature at Jagersro on Nov. 25.

Watson said: “Both are in flying form at home and we are really looking forward to trying them in this better class of race having just won a maiden apiece.”

High End (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) bears the blue cap for Godolphin in the 2000-metres Listed Zabeel Turf Presented by Longines earlier on the card. One of an octet in the race for the royal blue, the Saeed bin Suroor trainee, a three-time winner, played the bridesmaid in the Listed Foundation S. at Goodwood on Sept. 23. Another bin Suroor trainee who appears to be rounding into form is Royal Marine (Ire) (Ravens Pass), who won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp in 2018. He returns to action on the back of a runner-up effort in a Sept. 19 Newbury handicap. Charlie Appleby's stakes-placed Bright Melody (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also takes part.

Satish Seemar's Senority (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could prevent a Godolphin clean sweep and the 7-year-old gelding was second in the G3 Abu Dhabi Championship at Abu Dhabi last March. He was off the board in a Jan. 14 handicap locally. Majestic Mambo (SAf) (Mambo in Seattle), who ran second in the G1 Daily News 2000 in his native land, is also amongst the opposition and is saddled by Mike de Kock. Although winless in several tries in the desert, the 6-year-old gelding was fifth in the Abu Dhabi Championship in March.

Listed winner Raakib Alhawa (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) makes his Meydan debut for David Simcock and owner Khalifa Dasmal. The 5-year-old gelding, who landed the August S. at Windsor in August of 2019 was last seen running seventh in an Ascot handicap on Oct. 17.

Click here for the group field.

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Soft Whisper Headlines Thursday’s UAE 1000 Guineas For Godolphin

The second meeting of the 2021 Dubai World Cup Carnival (DWCC) at Meydan on Thursday evening features the first Classic of the season, the 1600m (one mile) Listed UAE 1000 Guineas presented by Longines. Saeed bin Suroor has a phenomenal record in the 3-year-old fillies' race and is seeking a 12th success since landing the inaugural event with Muwakleh in 2001.

The master of nearby Al Quoz Stables relies on Godolphin homebred Soft Whisper, winner of the 1400m (seven furlongs) UAE 1000 Guineas Trial three weeks ago. Frankie Dettori, seeking a fifth win in the race and fourth for Bin Suroor, takes the mount, replacing Pat Cosgrave who was aboard in the trial.

Second in her first two career starts, the daughter of Dubawi has won three in a row and will be looking to extend that streak on Thursday.

Bin Suroor said: “Soft Whisper won twice in Britain last year and did well to win the trial after a slow start. The extra 200m should suit and we are expecting a big run.”

Doug Watson saddled Super Chianti and Mnasek, both winners on their only start to date. The latter did remarkably well to win her 1400m maiden five weeks ago having totally missed the break under Dane O'Neill who again rides. Pat Dobbs again partners stablemate Super Chianti, the pair victorious in a 1200m maiden ten weeks ago.

Watson said: “Both are in flying form at home and we are really looking forward to trying them in this better class of race having just won a maiden apiece.”

Nicholas Bachalard saddles Nayefah, runner-up to both Watson fillies in her two outings to date. The mount of Ryan Curatolo will attempt to gain revenge and Bachalard said: “We deliberately missed the trial to give her more time between races. “She has done herself no favours with slow starts both times, so hopefully she can break on terms this time.”

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Equilateral to Remain in Dubai

Trainer Charlie Hills was very pleased with the recent performance of G1SP Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in the Listed Dubai Dash last Thursday, and the 6-year-old gelding will remain in Dubai for another tilt at the G2 Meydan Sprint on Feb. 18. In 2020, Equilateral ran second in the Sprint.

“I was really delighted with him,” said Hills. “Frankie [Dettori] gave him a great ride and it looked like he was always going to win the race. It's nice to have won the race twice now and he was 5lb worse off than last year. He seems to have come out of the race in great order and we'll train him for the Group 2.”

Another of Hills's pupils, the evergreen stable star Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), is wintering well and currently enjoying a holiday. The MG1SW is likely to make his first start in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot in June. Last term, the bay landed the King's Stand with Equilateral second.

“Battaash is still on his winter break,” he said. “He doesn't normally come in until the beginning of March. They all seem very happy with him. He's enjoying his hols at the moment.

“Last year he would probably have gone to Haydock [for the Temple S.] had that race been on. He's won first time out every year, so I think we'll just save him for Royal Ascot.”

Group 3 winner Tilsit (First Defence) is also being aimed at a Middle Eastern target, in his case the $20-million Saudi Cup on dirt and the Middle Distance Turf Cup both in Riyadh on Feb. 20.

“He's in those two races and we're looking at it,” he said. “Hopefully we'll run him. We'll see how he is in a couple of weeks.”

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