DEVON ISLAND - Godolphin - Photo: DRC
The G3 UAE 2000 Guineas has attracted a strong field of 16, including Appleby’s Devon Island, winner of both his Meydan starts to date.
“Devon Island is unbeaten since switching to dirt, although this is a step up in class against several horses with a similar profile to him,” said the Godolphin handler. “He has improved mentally as much as physically with each run, and we will be slightly wiser regarding what the future holds after this.”
Brotherly Love has finished behind Devon Island twice but did coast away for his own four-length maiden win two weeks’ ago, beating the reopposing Yamdeek.
“Originally we thought we’d leave him until the Road To Kentucky Derby [formerly Al Bastakiya] but he looks great and he’s been training great,” said trainer Osborne. “A mile is the inner edge of how far he can go; the 1900metres is going to be so much better for him. Saffie [Osborne, jockey] is of the opinion that he’s so much sharper in the blinkers that he’ll be able to sit a little closer to them, and Devon Island in particular.”
Bhupat Seemar trainer trains four in here, including Six Speed, winner of the Guineas trial last time out.
“He showed some grit last time,” he said of the Not This Time colt. “He went up there with the pace and then sat back a little and took some kickback, then when the opening came he shot clear. He should be able to get the mile well.”
With an eye on the Kentucky Derby, Jake Ballis and partners have completed the purchase of Dubai-based colt SIX SPEED (Not This Time), with hopes of continuing his upward trajectory toward the GI Kentucky Derby.
Seemar also runs Lino Padrino, an impressive maiden winner before fluffing his lines last time out.
“We have high hopes for Lino Padrino,” he said. “We’ve done some work with him at the gates as he was slowly away last time, so hoping for a better break. Tadhg chose him as he’s a horse with a lot of talent.”
Seemar’s other two Guineas runners are new to the stable, one from the US and one from Ireland.
“Rammas was an impressive winner at Gulfstream,” he said. “He’s still in quarantine, but we worked him on Sunday and he impressed us. I think he has a good future but we just don’t know him too well yet.
“Senator Of State was a winner at Dundalk on his last start who has just come over and he’s running on the dirt for the first time, so it’s going to be a little bit different for him.”
Argentine-bred Legalaized, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheri, ran second to Six Speed in the trial, despite conceding weight and a wide draw in 14.
“I thought he did a good job in the trial,” said jockey James Doyle. “We were drawn widest of all and we covered a lot of extra ground and he just got a little tired late on.
“The extra furlong is certainly a question mark, but if he can get a bit more of an economical trip then hopefully he can run a very good race.”
The UAE 2000 Guineas is now part of the ‘Road To The Kentucky Derby’ with points going to the first five home, including 20 for the winner.
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