Dubai: New Godolphin purchase Ribchester underlined his Classic potential in winning the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes, a recognised big-race trial and highlight of the second and final day of the Dubai Duty Free International weekend at Newbury Racecourse in England.
With James Doyle in the irons, the Richard Fahey-trained son of Dalham Hall Stud’s record-breaking first-season stallion Iffraaj, led home a one-two for Godolphin in the 1,400 metre contest which has an impressive record for producing subsequent Group 1 winners.
Bought out of Lancashire-based private owner David W. Armstrong’s yard, Ribcester was always held in high regard by his handler and he more than justified that assertion with a sparkling performance that may have thrust him into prominence in the build-up to next year’s English 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket, April 30).
“He’s a big, raw type, but it was a solid performance,” Doyle told Racing UK. “I wanted to pick him up soon enough in that ground so that he didn’t get stuck in it, but in fact I probably went a bit early as he handled it well and he was just pricking his ears a bit in the end.
“Looking at him, you’d be excited about him and he’s hopefully one for the future.”
Fahey added: “I think he’s on the way to being a nice horse. He’s won that as a maiden so you can imagine how shocked I was when he got beat at Doncaster first time.
“He’s a big baby and it’s amazing how a race can bring horses on. York verified how good we thought he was and today has confirmed it.
“Whether he runs again, I’ll speak to John Ferguson, he doesn’t need a lot more racing.
“If I’ve got a Guineas horse, it’s him.”
British bookmakers Ladbrookes have him a 20/1 chance together with Godolphin’s other Guineas hopeful, Buratino, in a market that is led by dual Group 1 winners Air Force Blue (4/1) and Godolphin’s principal hope, the Charlie Appleby-trained Emotionless (6/1).
Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Sky Hunter showed glimpes of ring-rust as he was held by Goodwood runner-up The Corsican in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup (Registered As The Arc Trial).
Sky Hunter, who was returning to action after a six-month lay off since winning the Group 2 Dubai city of Gold at the Carnival, was hoping to confirm himself as a genuine contender for the Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup on November 3, his main target for the season.
Bin Surour’s charge featured in the 23rd position following Racing Victoria’s order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, a 3,200 metre contest that is restricted to 24 horses when final declarations are made on October 31.
After tracking the leading pair, Sky Hunter was brushed up by Doyle at the two furlong pole, who asked him for his challenge.
He momentarily looked to be getting into his stride but he was unable to match The Corsican for pace and went down by a length and a half.
“I’ve been worried all week about this ground, but David said he was going to run whatever, as he really needed to get a race into him if he was going to make it to the Champion Stakes,” said jockey Spencer of the winner. “This is a good horse, who has gears.”
