By Kelsey Riley
It was a blue wash at the start of Thursday's G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan, with the five Godolphin runners leading the four others past the stands the first time in the 2810 metre turf contest, and it remained that way at the finish, with Secret Advisor (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) leading home a Godolphin top four finish in the feature. Last year's G3 Bahrain Trophy and Belmont Gold Cup winner Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) traveled last early but failed to fire when put to pressure in the stretch, finishing sixth.
Though six, Secret Advisor has run just nine times for trainer Charlie Appleby. He showed promise at three mostly in the handicap ranks, although he can claim a third-place finish behind Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in 2017. Gelded after missing his entire 4-year-old season the following year, Secret Advisor returned last summer with two subpar performances in staying handicaps, and was making his first start since on Thursday.
Secret Advisor had his head in front in the two path when they hit the wire the first time, but William Buick appeared to be looking for someone to take it up and Gifts Of Gold (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Pat Cosgrave did just that on the run into the turn, darting about 2 1/2 lengths clear. About 4 1/2 lengths covered Godolphin's leading quintet down the backstretch, with Spanish Mission about eight lengths off the lead in last. Secret Advisor and Buick continued to bide their time around the turn as Gifts Of Gold made an attempt to steal away, but that blinkered bay began to splutter upon turning for home. Secret Advisor was put to a drive by Buick approaching the three pole and used a sharp turn of foot to overhaul Gifts Of Gold. Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Dubai Horizon (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}) rallied from their stalking positions but Secret Advisor had more than enough in the tank to pull off the victory.
“We were very pleased with his first start here,” Appleby said. “Before, when he was a 3-year-old, he won the Melrose and that's a good race to produce staying horses for the future. Unfortunately, he's been challenging for everybody and full credit to the team at this stage of his career. [Jockey] William [Buick] was delighted with that. He's travelled round and was the class in the race, really. He's picked up and he's stayed—he's ticked all the boxes. Whether we get a shot to run him on World Cup night, we'll see on racing, as he's still got a bit to find. If he doesn't get the opportunity to run World Cup night, then I'm sure we'll look down the staying route back in Europe and regroup here next winter.”
Pedigree Notes
Carrying the same Dubawi over Galileo cross as the likes of Night of Thunder (Ire), Ghaiyyath (Ire) and Dartmouth (GB), Secret Advisor is the fourth foal out of the G3 Prix du Royaumont victress Sub Rose (Ire). Sub Rose is also responsible for the dual French group winner and G1 Champion S. third Subway Dancer (Ire) (Shamardal), and she has a 2-year-old filly by Muhaarar (GB) called Sub Sahara (Fr) and a yearling filly by Al Wukair (Ire). The third dam is the G2 Child S. winner and G1 Coronation S. and G1 Jacques le Marois placed Magic Gleam (Danzig).
Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
NAD AL SHEBA TROPHY (SPONSORED BY MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM CITY-DISTRICT ONE)-G3, $300,000, Meydan, 2-27, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2810mT, 2:55.64, gd.
1–SECRET ADVISOR (FR), 126, g, 6, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Sub Rose (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Amazing Krisken, by Kris S.
3rd Dam: Magic Gleam, by Danzig
O-Godolphin; B-Haras de Saint Pair (FR); T-Charlie Appleby;
J-William Buick. $180,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 10-4-2-1,
$402,750. *1/2 to Subway Dancer (Ire) (Shamardal), Horse of
the Year, Ch. Older Horse in Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic,
MGSW-Fr & G1SP-Eng, $293,354. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dubai Future (GB), 121, c, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Anjaz, by Street
Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $60,000.
3–Dubai Horizon (Ire), 126, g, 6, Poet's Voice (GB)–Chibola
(Arg), by Roy. (100,000gns wnl '14 TATNOV) O-Godolphin;
B-Mrs James Wigan (IRE); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $30,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 3HF.
Also Ran: Dubhe (GB), Massif Central (Ire), Spanish Mission, Gifts of Gold (Ire), Charles Kingsley (GB), Koeman (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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