GODOLPHIN RUN THREE IN UAE 2,000 GUINEAS
13 February 2008
Time/Date
10.00pm/Thursday, February 14, 2008
Racecourse/Country
Nad Al Sheba/UAE
Surface/Distance
Dirt/8f
Etched, Numaany and My Indy represent Godolphin in the dirt Group Three UAE 2,000 Guineas - Gulf News on Thursday, February 14, 2008.
Etched makes his first appearance for Godolphin following two superb victories on dirt in the USA, including a comprehensive demolition of his rivals in the mile Grade Three Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct on October 28.
The three-year-old colt registered another wide margin success on his racecourse bow in a six-furlong maiden at Belmont Park in September. Frankie Dettori takes the ride.
Saeed bin Suroor is pleased with Etched's progress in Dubai and is looking forward to a big run.
The Godolphin trainer said: "Etched is in good form and he is ready to run. He will improve for the race but, being a Grade Three winner on dirt in America, I am looking to see a big run from him on Thursday."
Numaany also has his Godolphin debut in Thursday's race under Ted Durcan.The three-year-old colt raced in America last season and recorded a comfortable victory in his second start in a nine-furlong maiden event on dirt, despite swerving right, at Aqueduct on November 2.
Saeed bin Suroor is happy with Numaany's recent work and is hoping for a good performance on the colt's first run in Dubai against some tough opposition.
Godolphin's trainer said: "Numaany is fit and well. He's in good condition and it will be interesting to see how he gets on against some other top quality horses."
While both Etched and Numaany have their much anticipated Godolphin debuts in the mile contest, My Indy makes his second start of the season having finished runner-up to Honour Devil in a seven-furlong conditions event at Nad Al Sheba on January 24.
Saeed bin Suroor was pleased with My Indy's first start and he is hopeful that the benefit of a previous run this year will suit the four-year-old, bred in the southern hemisphere, who has scored at Grade Two level over nine furlongs in his native Argentina.
The trainer commented about Kerrin McEvoy's mount: "My Indy has come out of his last race really well. He is happy, fresh and in good form. He is fitter than the other two of our runners because he has already run this year.
"There are some class horses in the race but I'm looking forward to seeing a good run from My Indy."
The three Godolphin colts face 15 rivals in Thursday's race. Last year's winning trainer, Mike de Kock, is represented this time by dual Nad al Sheba scorer Ablaan, South African Grade Two victor Royal Vintage and Honour Devil, who looked a horse with a future when beating My Indy on his Carnival debut.
Godolphin has previously won the UAE 2,000 Guineas - Gulf News three times, with Bachir (2000), Street Cry (2001) and Essence Of Dubai (2002).
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