By Emma Berry
The first Group 1 of the evening at Meydan brought a trifecta for Charlie Appleby in the Jebel Hatta with the class act of the field, Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}), claiming his second win at the highest level and his third victory since returning to training after his failed stud career.
Settled towards the rear of the field by William Buick after jumping from the widest gate, the 6-year-old raced a tad keenly at times but made steady progress around the home turn, quickening nicely once switched outside to reel in his stablemates Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Spotify (Fr) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). The latter had got first run off the bend but had to settle for third at the wire as he was worn down by Barney Roy, with the filly Magic Lily running on determinedly to finish 1 3/4 lengths back for a good second after two wins in Group 2 contests this Carnival.
Barney Roy kept his clean sheet at Meydan following his bloodless win over Dream Castle (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Al Rashidiya on Jan. 30. The latter, who won the Jebel Hatta for Saeed Bin Suroor last year, finished fourth this time around to complete Godolphin's dominance.
“From that draw in 12, we decided we would have to ride him for luck,” Appleby said. “The horse has not made that easy for William, but that was a great ride in the circumstances. He is just so enthusiastic and keen to get on with things, but once William had him on an even keel in the straight, he was always going to win. He will go to the Dubai Turf and Magic Lily may do so as well. She has had a brilliant year at Meydan. Spotify has run very well also.”
Buick added, “There were a lot of horses in the race with very little chance, but we still had to pass them all. He travels very strongly into the race. I brought him out into the straight and he picked them up easily. He has a nice cruising speed, which is helped by his big stride, but also he loves a flat track like Meydan, where he can use that stride. It's a testament to the horse and the team at home, who have done a great job with him ever since he stepped into the yard.”
There was trouble in running for the Marco Botti-trained Wait Forever (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who appeared to clip heels when tight for room in the straight and unshipped Andrea Atzeni, who fell in the path of the weakening Al Sahem (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}) but was able to take his later ride in the G2 Dubai City of Gold.
Pedigree Notes
Barney Roy was bred in Britain by Australia's Eliza Park International Pty Ltd, which also operates as Sun Bloodstock. He was the first foal of Alina (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), an unremarkable performer on the racecourse who has subsequently become something of a celebrity in the sales world. Barney Roy was himself a 30,000gns foal but his exploits have ensured that his siblings have been in great demand. Qatar Queen (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), who has been placed three times for Qatar Racing, topped the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale in 2017 when sold for 400,000gns, and the mare's Dubawi colt was the top price at Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when bought by Godolphin for 3.6 million gns. Barney Roy's year-younger half-sister Wisdom Mind (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is a winner and was listed-placed for Joseph O'Brien.
Alina's dam is the consistent racemare Cheyenne Star (Ire) (Mujahid), who won eight races for Frances Crowley, including two Group 3 contests.
Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
JEBEL HATTA SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE-G1, $400,000, Meydan, 3-7, NH4yo/up & SH 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:46.09, gd.
1–BARNEY ROY (GB), 126, g, 6, by Excelebration (Ire)
1st Dam: Alina (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Cheyenne Star (Ire), by Mujahid
3rd Dam: Charita (Ire), by Lycius
(30,000gns Wlg '14 TATFOA; £70,000 Ylg '15 DNPRM).
O-Godolphin; B-Eliza Park International Pty Ltd (GB); T-Charlie
Appleby; J-William Buick. $240,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-
Eng & SW-Fr, 12-6-3-1, $1,183,503. *1/2 to Wisdom Mind (Ire)
(Dark Angel {Ire}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Magic Lily (GB), 121, m, 5, New Approach (Ire)–Dancing Rain
(Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie
Appleby. $80,000.
3–Spotify (Fr), 126, g, 6, Redoute's Choice (Aus)–Gwenseb (Fr),
by Green Tune. (€250,000 HRA '18 ARARQ). O-Godolphin;
B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Charlie Appleby. $40,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, 2HF.
Also Ran: Dream Castle (GB), Freescape (GB), Surrounding (Ire), Moqtarreb (GB), Eqtiraan (Ire), Masaarr, Royal Meeting (Ire), Ajwad (GB), Al Sahem (SAf). Also Ran (DNF): Wait Forever (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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