Third in the 2013 G1 Prix du Jockey Club and winner of the G3 St Simon S. at Newbury last time out, Sky Hunter (GB) (Motivator {GB}) made his first start at Meydan a winning one and emulated his half-brother Highest (Ire) (Selkirk) in landing the G2 Dubai City Of Gold. The gelded 5-year-old broke almost too quickly from gate seven and was promptly restrained by James Doyle, who appeared determined to get cover as his mount was returning from a four-month lay-off. With the rail-drawn Cooptado (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Aus}) running to the lead and Brass Ring (GB) (Rail Link {GB}) shadowing him, Doyle was able to sit in fourth position and get Sky Hunter to settle despite the steady pace.
The Godolphin color-bearer was angled three wide around the home turn and pushed to the front as Sheikhzayedroad (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who had been spotted at the back of the field in the early stages, started delivering his challenge. It took Sky Hunter a few seconds to hit his best stride, but when he did he was soon clear from his rivals and won running away. David Simcock's globe-trotter Sheikhzayedroad stayed on gamely in second, while Mike de Kock's Umgiyo (Aus)(Danehill Dancer {Ire}) finished well in third for his first effort over a mile and a half.
“He is a very nice horse and we thought he would run well,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor of the winner. “He was improving last year in England and there is hopefully more to come.” Doyle added, “I was pretty confident coming into the race as he has been working so well and he impressed me at Newbury on his last start.”
Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
DUBAI CITY OF GOLD (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES SKYCARGO)-G2, $250,000, MEY, 3-7, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2410mT, 2:32.88, gd.
1–SKY HUNTER (GB), 126, g, 5, by Motivator (GB)
1st Dam: Pearl Kite (GSP-Eng), by Silver Hawk
2nd Dam: Spur Wing, by Storm Bird
3rd Dam: Equal Change, by Arts and Letters
O-Godolphin; B-Darley (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor;
J-James Doyle. $150,000. Lifetime Record: 10-7-0-1,
$581,743. *1/2 to Shamaiel (Ire) (Lycius), SW-Eng;
Nayyir (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), MGSW-Eng, G1SP-Fr
& G1SP-UAE, $974,960; Highest (Ire) (Selkirk), GSW-
UAE & G1SP-Eng, $433,991. Werk Nick Rating:
A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sheikhzayedroad (GB), 126, g, 6, Dubawi (Ire)–Royal
Secrets (Ire), by Highest Honor (Fr). O-Mohammed
Jaber; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-David
Simcock. $50,000.
3–Umgiyo (Aus), 126, g, 4, Danehill Dancer (Ire)–Celtic
Queen (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O-W V Rippon, Mrs W
V Rippon, Mike de Kock, G M Grant, C S Haynes,
Mohammed Khaleel, A Chadha, Mrs R Chadha, Dr J
McVeigh, Mrs AJ McVeigh & Mrs N P Malherbe; B-
Linley Investments & David Magnier (Aus); T-Mike de
Kock. $25,000. *A$40,000 yrl '12 INGPRE. **Full to
Queen Mira (Aus), GSP-SAf.
Margins: 1 3/4, 3/4, NO. Also Ran: True Story (GB), Cooptado (Arg), Mickdaam (Ire), Zambucca (SAf), Pilote (Ire), Brass Ring (GB), Ayahuasca, Scratched: Songcraft (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet PPs or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.
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