Alexandros the highlight of Godolphin treble
Nad Al Sheba, Friday
THE Godolphin operation continues in fine form at their home fixture sending out a treble on the fifth night of the 2009 Carnival.
The only reverse came when much-touted Devotee trailed home last behind So Shiny in the feature event, the UAE 1,000 Guineas.
Prior to that trainer Saeed Bin Suroor had dominated proceedings, taking his score for 2009 into double figures courtesy of a treble with Asset, Alexandros and Friston Forest.
Most impressive of the trio was Alexandros, 11-4 winner of the 1m1f turf handicap.
Frankie Dettori was always in control, travelling well behind the pace before asking his mount to quicken in the straight, where Alexandros showed a ready turn of foot to record his second victory of the year.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "He picked up well and it was a good performance. He has always been a nice horse and is hopefully improving. We will have to consider the Dubai Duty Free but that would be a big step up."
Well-backed favourite Kings Gambit, a dual Grade 1 winner in his native South Africa, was a bitter disappointment, finding nothing off the bridle.
Asset, often placed in good company, finally recorded his first victory for Godolphin when winning for the first time since April 2007 in the second 6f turf handicap.
Given a patient ride by Dettori, the ex-Richard Hannon-trained six-year-old raced wide throughout before hitting the front inside the final furlong to score a shade cosily over Lipocco and Judd Street.
Bin Suroor said: "Frankie gave him a great ride and he is a nice enough horse but no superstar."
The treble was completed when Friston Forest and stablemate Veracity flashed past the post together after an epic struggle in the 1m6f turf handicap.
Ted Durcan got the verdict on the nod on supposed second string Friston Forest, who had challenged the Dettori-ridden Veracity on the outer inside the final furlong.
"The French form looked good but we knew there were several with chances," said Durcan. "He has responded bravely when Ihave asked him and led, literally, only on the line."
The Bin Suroor treble means he has overtaken Mike de Kock as the leading trainer in carnival history with 59 winners.
De Kock took his tally to 57 as Kevin Shea scored on Diana's Choice in the opening 6f turf handicap.
Having made a pleasing local debut in the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint on dirt, she was unfazed by the return to turf and collared long-time leader Instant Recall close home.
Shea explained: "She is a decent filly and we were hopeful she could win. I was always happy tracking the runner-up and she is an interesting sort for the carnival as she handled the dirt last time."
A De Kock double was foiled in the last when well-backed Russian Sage was just outpointed close home by Kachgai, smuggled through on the rail in the 1m turf handicap to score for French-based Spaniard Luis Urbano.
Jockey Jose Martinez can take credit for getting his mount across to the rail from the widest draw in a 14-runner field.
The determined Roman's Run just got the best of a desperate finish in the 1m1/2f dirt handicap under Fernando Jara.
The 20-1 shot was the third thoroughbred winner at the carnival for UAE champion trainer Doug Watson.
"That was a big relief as we have had problems with this horse," said Watson. "On his best form he was entitled to go close and I hoped for a good run."
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