History could be made by just the second race on Saturday when Bathrat Leon attempts to become the third dual winner of the G2 Godolphin Mile (sponsored by One Zabeel).
The Yoshito Yahagi-trained five-year-old aims to follow in the hoofprints of Lost Soldier and Firebreak by winning back-to-back editions of the $1million contest and faces 13 rivals. He warmed up for this with a success on the turf, in the 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia.
When asked which surface suits Bathrat Leon better, Yahagi laughed and said: “You tell me!
“We saw last year how much he enjoyed the Meydan dirt and he has enjoyed it again since coming back,” he continued. “I don’t think the turf straight would suit as much as the turn on dirt, so that’s why we are going for the Godolphin Mile again.
“He is going even better this year, as we saw in Saudi Arabia last start, so hopefully he can lead and win again.”
Up against Bathrat Leon are two others from Japan, Lauda Sion and Win Carnelian, as well as last year’s second, Ahmad Al Shemaili’s Desert Wisdom. There are three trained by Bhupat Seemar; Discovery Island, winner of the G3 Burj Nahaar over course and distance last time out, Law Of Peace and Royal Mews.
“Discovery Island is doing really well and he won impressively on Super Saturday,” said the reigning UAE Champion Trainer. “We just need him to get a good break. James Doyle knows him well and keeps the ride, while Law Of Peace will go under Richard Mullen.
“Law Of Peace is a very consistent horse and likes to come from the back. If there’s a good enough pace in the race he’ll be finishing well.
“Tadhg O’Shea takes the ride on Royal Mews. He’s a very good horse and he won a handicap on the Dubai World Cup Carnival programme and then was a close second, before finishing third behind Discovery Island on Super Saturday. He’s been doing really well and all we need is for him to break well on the day.”
O’Shea added: “He’s a classy horse and a strong traveller and he’s got a good draw in three. The Godolphin Mile is traditionally run lights out and he should hopefully find a nice spot in the race and give a good account.”
The field of 14 includes the 2021 Group 1 Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez winner Atletico El Culano, trained by Antonio Cintra, and four for Doug Watson. Prince Eiji is the mount of stable jockey Pat Dobbs, Sam Hitchcott rides 2021 runner-up Golden Goal, Oscar Chavez partners Everfast and Tyler Gaffalione takes his first Dubai ride on Isolate.
Isolate, second in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal three weeks’ ago, runs for the third time in Dubai, and for just the second time in his career over a mile.
“Isolate is very good and is training very well,” said Muammer Abdulla, racing manager to owners RRR Racing. “We really think he has drawn well in post two and Tyler [Gaffalione] will give a strong ride.”
The Godolphin Mile is scheduled as race two with a post time of 16:05.