Songcraft posts the first victory under the ownership of Godolphin in the Etisalat 4G Handicap, along with striking the first win of the season
The Etisalat 4G Handicap at the Meydan on 12th January, was the very first race that Songcraft ran after his ownership switched from Sheikh Mohammed to the Godolphin Racing.
The victory was also the first of the season for Songcraft. To maintain the unbeaten record despite the new trainer, jockey and owner was a profound display of ability on the four-year-old bay gelding’s part.
The race had two entries each from Saeed bin Suroor, Mahmood Al Zarooni and De Kock.
The 10 to 11 favourite, Alkimos is trained by Saeed bin Suroor, and Zain Shamardal was entered by Al Raihe. Those two were the most prominent horses at the beginning of the race, but could not sustain their pace for long, and with others storming in, it was
a matter of time that two leaders would get overhauled.
In the meanwhile Summit Surge and Belgian Bill were following these two leaders but it did not take long for Summit Surge to fall victim to lack of stamina as he faded after the first three and a half furlongs.
Sustaining the momentum was George Baker trained, Belgian Bill, who ended up leading for the next two furlongs, but had to give way to Saeed bin Suroor trained, Songcraft, who after getting into stride only gradually, ran into the final furlong, leading.
Thus, Songcraft riding with Silvestre De Sousa finished the race first, and was soon followed in by Ted Durcan’s ride Belgian Bill.
Mikhail Glinda was the third to finish the race after the winner, under Ryan Moore.
Mahmood Al Zarooni trained Rostrum and Nationalism finished one after the other, Rostrum fourth and Nationalism fifth. Closing in for the sixth position was the 10 to 11 favourite of the race, Alkimos.
Trainees of M De Kock managed the tenth and twelfth positions in the race.
Before this, Songcraft had won two races, both being French races. He has been sent as the favourite once and has been ridden to both the prior victories by the French riding sensation, Maxime Guyon.
Another dimension that makes this victory significant is the fact that it marked the second victory for the Godolphin Racing for 12th January races held at Meydan during the Carnival. The first victory was bagged by Mahmood Al Zarooni trained Naqshabban.
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