Godolphin hopes to end victory wait

Highly-rated duo have superb chance but manager Crisford cautious about Gamilati or Dubai Prince's prospects of race wins at Goodwood today.

Gamilati, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the UAE 1000 Guineas in February. Pawan Singh / The National

GOODWOOD, England // Godolphin had little luck in the Goodwood Cup yesterday but they have two gilt-edged chances on the fourth day of the Glorious Meeting with Gamilati and Dubai Prince.

Colour Vision could only finish third to Saddler's Rock in the Group 2 staying feature and Goodwood still awaits the famous flying dismount from Frankie Dettori, who had his first winner here in 1987.

Gamilati and Dubai Prince are both the highest-rated horses respectively in the Oak Tree Stakes and the Glorious Stakes but Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, was cautious about talking up either of his charges.

Gamilati won the UAE 1000 Guineas in February by five and a half lengths but has been on the sidelines since as a chip in her near-fore ankle forced her out of action.

Although the daughter of Bernardini is a Classic winner, she escapes a penalty in today's Group 3 contest as the UAE 1000 Guineas carries only Listed status.

"Gamilati looked fantastic when winning in Dubai but let's be honest, she was running against some fairly inferior fillies," Crisford said.

"She is fresh and well and seven furlongs will be right up her street. She will go there with a bit of chance as she runs well when fresh."

Dubai Prince did not run with much credit during the Dubai World Cup Carnival and has either become the equine version of a flat track bully or a blushing shy-away. Today we are likely to find out which.

Since arriving in Britain he routed three rivals in a Conditions event at York last month but Crisford said that today's assignment, against six others, may not be altogether satisfactory for the lightly-raced four year old.

"Dubai Prince is an interesting horse. He has been very fragile mentally and he tends to gets very nervous when the race is building up," he said.

"He looks like an absolute king in four-runner conditions races but he can get a bit shy when there are more runners.

"We found that in the Champion Stakes last year and in subsequent races. If the field isn't too big and he takes to the track and his jockey is sympathetic, he would have a chance. He is rated 116 which sets the benchmark for a race like this. It is difficult to find races that suit him.

"The jury is still out with him - he is a very nice horse who has got plenty of talent."

Colour Vision found the concession of a 4lb penalty to Saddler's Rock beyond him yesterday and finished one and three quarter lengths behind the mount of Johnny Murtagh.

Saddler's Rock gave way to Colour Vision at Royal Ascot in June and the two could meet again in either the Lonsdale Cup at York Racecourse on August 25 or the Doncaster Cup, which Saddler's Rock won last season, three weeks later at Doncaster Racecourse.

"Frankie said Colour Vision didn't really handle the track as we hoped he would but the horse put up a good effort," Crisford said. "Frankie felt that between the three-furlong and five-furlong poles the other got away from him."

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