Dubai: Long-serving Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour was celebrating a smashing Group race double at Turkey’s most important flat racing fixture of the year at Viliefendi racecourse on Saturday with two first-time jockeys.
The Emirati handler, who has been head trainer with the globe-trotting Dubai-owned stable since 1995, opened the day by landing the Group 2 Anatolia Trophy with Leshlaa, ridden by veteran Jimmy Quinn, before saddling Arabian Hope, the mount of French veteran Gerald Mosse, to win the Group 3 Istanbul Trophy. Both Quinn and Mosse were riding the winners for the first time.
A three-year-old Street Cry colt, Leshlaa ran on well, despite drifting left, inside the final furlong to take the lead in the closing stages and win going away by a length and a half.
Bin Surour said on the Godolphin website: “He ran well to win and I was happy with him.
“Leshlaa was in a nice position all the way and the jockey looked after him — taking him out and challenging in the last furlong to finish strongly and win well.”
A delighted Quinn said “The race was run at a slow pace and the leader controlled it. Even though the race was not run to suit Leshlaa, he has still won quite well.”
Arabian Hope enjoyed a comfortable success in the Group 3 Istanbul Trophy winning by a length and a half on the poly turf ground described as good.
Bin Surour was pleased with the day’s work and said: “It is very good to have two winners tonight.
“Arabian Hope has now won a Group 3 race and previously finished third in a G1 in England — she is improving all the time.
“We will now find another Group race for her before we give her a break at the end of the season.”
Gerald Mosse reported: “The race was fine. Arabian Hope travelled nice and easy and I took my time. My filly was relaxed and really responded when I asked her to go — there was no need to press hard.”
