On a night where four of the seven winners carried Godolphin silks, Poetic Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a half-sister to champion juvenile Teofilo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) no less, came from off the pace to win the global powerhouse's seventh G2 Cape Verdi title at Meydan for trainer Charlie Appleby on Thursday evening. Fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor provided the exacta with Asoof (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). It was the fourth consecutive year the royal blue colours had been carried to victory in the $250,000 1600-metre event and Appleby's second Cape Verdi, having saddled Certify (Elusive Quality) in 2017.
One of three for the Boys in Blue in the featured event of the night, Poetic Charm's pilot James Doyle wore the blue cap and the 4-year-old filly justified that faith in no uncertain terms. Poetic Charm stayed well covered up in sixth while full of run as Monza (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) led the field down the backstretch. Still showing plenty of zest at the half-way mark, the bay lacked racing room as the septet neared the straight. Monza conceded the advantage to Asoof, who had stalked from second for much of the journey and Poetic Charm burst through a seam to challenge the bin Suroor runner a quarter mile from the line.
By the 200-metre mark, Poetic Charm had ground a half-length clear and she stretched away to win by four lengths. Asoof hit the line 1 3/4 lengths in front of Furia Cruzada (Chi) (Newfoundland), who had rated in midpack and rallied late, while Godolphin's Victory Wave (Distorted Humor) was another 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth.
“I was a bit short of room for a moment, but once the gap opened, I knew I had the horse underneath me and she picked up in style,” said James Doyle. “She has a lot of speed, this filly, and could win over seven [furlongs/1400m], but the extra furlong and nine furlongs in the [G2] Balanchine should not be a problem.”
Added Appleby, “James gave her a peach of a ride in getting her switched off. I was always confident turning in as she was travelling supremely well and has a finishing kick. She put the race to bed nicely. She's been training a lot better this winter than she was last year. She is a stronger individual and more mature. She's done that well and I see no reason why she shouldn't see out the Balanchine as well. That is the only race left over here for the fillies and mares so she'll have a stab at it. I'm sure she'll run a pretty big race.”
A winner of the Listed Prix de la Couchere at Longchamp on Sept. 5, Poetic Charm would not settle in the Oct. 19 GIII Pin Oak Valley View S. at Keeneland over 1 1/16 miles and ran off the board in her final start prior to her Meydan debut on Thursday.
Pedigree Notes…
One of 162 black-type winners for her sire and the third group winner for her dam after Teofilo and G3 Derrinstown Stud One Thousand Guineas Trial victress Bean Feasa (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Poetic Charm is followed by unraced sophomore colt Just You Wait (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and a yearling half-brother by Dark Angel (Ire). Her second dam is a full-sister to GI Blue Grass S. hero War (Majestic Light) and a half to MGISW Judge Angelucci (Honest Pleasure). Victorian Queen (Victoria Park), the Cape Verdi winner's third dam, was a two-time Sovereign Award victress as Canadian champion grass horse and older mare in 1975. Speirbhean visited the court of Dubawi once again last spring. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
CAPE VERDI SPONSORED BY AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS-G2, $250,000, Meydan, 1-17, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:36.46, gd.
1–POETIC CHARM (GB), 126, f, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Speirbhean (Ire) (SW-Ire), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saviour, by Majestic Light
3rd Dam: Victorian Queen, by Victoria Park
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby;
J-James Doyle. $150,000. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Fr,
10-5-1-0, $244,202. *1/2 to Teofilo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Ch. 2yo
Colt-Eur, Hwt. 2yo Colt-Ire & Eng, G1SW-Ire & Eng, $645,596;
and a full to Bean Feasa (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), GSW-Ire. Werk
Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Asoof (GB), 126, f, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Lady's Purse (GB), by
Doyen (Ire). O/B-Godolphin; T-Saeed bin Suroor. $50,000.
3–Furia Cruzada (Chi), 126, m, 7, Newfoundland–Nuestra Machi
(Chi), by Hussonet. (180,000gns RNA HRA '16 TATDEC). O-Avaz
Ismoilov; B-Haras Dadinco (CHI); T-Erwan Charpy. $25,000.
Margins: 4, 1 3/4, 2HF.
Also Ran: Victory Wave, Peri Lina (Tur), Monza (Ire), Mia Tesoro (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post chart. Video.
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