Capponi wins the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire on 26th January for Godolphin Racing
The Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire on 26th January, even though had a lineup of fourteen, was actually a Godolphin race with the three entries by the two Godolphin trainers, Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood Al Zarooni conquering
the first three positions.
For the initial 1 ½ furlong of the race, A bin Huzaim trained, Jedi, led, as he fell in a high gear, after breaking from the fourteenth stall, and was then tracked by the rest of the pack.
Jedi, soon got overhauled by Maraheb, Nationalism, Sarrsar and Capponi who were closing in on the distance.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Capponi progressed smoothly for the final 1 ½ furlong, but was caught on by Sarrsar, the 7 to 2 favourite of the race, with Mickael Barzalona onboard. The leading pair bolted to cover the final 110 yards, but Capponi gained
a shoulder’s edge at the wire, and made it home after battling for the decisive final stride.
Frankie Dettori said: “I probably did not go quick enough on Capponi last time when Sarrsar beat us so it is nice to get in front of him this time”.
Fraction of a second later, the wire was crossed by Sarrsar, qualifying as the runner up. Mahmood Al Zarooni trained Nationalism finished the race third after the winner.
The race had two entries each from trainer Al Raihe and S Seemar, none of whom could nab placed finishes, and were dominated by the Godolphin entries.
This race was a reversed version of the 5th January Longines Conquest Collection Handicap race where Capponi was placed second against the winner Sarrsar, however back then there was a length’s distance while this one was close
enough for finalizing the winner at a shoulder’s distance.
This is the first time that Capponi has posted a victory for Godolphin, and also the first time to have won during the new season. His seasonal debut resulted in a second position.
Plans for racing Capponi a third time during the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival have not been revealed yet, but with a first and second position in the first two starts of the new season, are reflective of a horse who can be trusted with sustaining
the performance.
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