From Godolphin.....
DISCREET CAT DOES NOT SPARKLE
31 March 2007
Godolphin’s Discreet Cat, one of the leading hopes for the 12th running of Dubai World Cup, failed to show his true form, trailing in last of the seven runners in the 10-furlong race on dirt.
Frankie Dettori broke well on Discreet Cat before holding up the four-year-old in sixth place on the inside at Nad Al Sheba on March 31.
The four-year-old then raced at the rear of the field in the world’s richest race as Forty Licks took them along.
Turning for home, Discreet Cat was asked to make some progress when switched to the outside but swung slightly wide into the straight and could make no impression on those ahead of him in the run to the line.
He was beaten a total of 23 lengths by Invasor who took the World Cup in determined fashion from Premium Tap for owner H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktown, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and jockey Fernando Jara.
Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, reported that Discreet Cat seemed alright after the race.
He declared: “Discreet Cat has run way below form - I don’t know why. He was never going a yard - it was a big surprise to us but that’s racing.
“We will give him some time out now and then get him back to America. It was very disappointing but all the good champions get beaten at some point and he will be back.”
Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, added: “It doesn’t look like Discreet Cat stays the distance and we will drop him back to a mile.
It was a disappointing performance tonight and we will see how the horse comes out of the race before making firm plans.”
Frankie Dettori commented: “He never ran his race - he was beaten before the turn for home.”
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