Safety Check success results in penalty weight at Goodwood

Godolphin's Safety Check will carry a weight penalty at the Goodwood Festival. Pawan Singh / The National

GOODWOOD, ENGLAND// Safety Check was one of the stars of this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival, but his success has resulted in the Godolphin colt having to carry a penalty in Tuesday night’s Lennox State on Day 1 of the Goodwood Festival.

Safety Check powered to three victories at Meydan during the winter, with wins in a handicap before two Group 2 victories – in the Fahidi Fort over 1,400 metres and the Zabeel Mile over 1,600m.

The Lennox Stakes is also a Group 2 event over 1,400M, which means the son of Dubawi must give weight away to his eight rivals, that includes Toormore, Godolphin’s recent acquisition.

Safety Check won a handicap at Goodwood 12 months ago, and Appleby was hopeful of a good run should the ground dry out from the “good to soft” at the course Monday that has prevented Limato from running.

“He was our flag-bearer in Dubai,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “The positives for him are that he’s handled Goodwood before and seven furlongs is his ideal trip. On the negative side he’s carrying a penalty, and the ground is a concern. We’ll be keeping an eye on it and will see how it rides for the first two races as he likes it quick.”

Godolphin are well represented in the other Group 2 race of the day, the Vintage Stakes over 1,400m.

Richard Fahey’s Birchwood and Saeed bin Suroor’s Strong Challenge will be joined by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s Ibn Malik and Welford, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

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