In an interview with Richard Hoiles, broadcasting from the second night of the Dubai International Racing Carnival, Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford (pictured below, right)noted that Vineyard Haven is being pointed to return in the UAE 2000 Guineas, with eyes on the UAE Derby. Godolphin finished 1-2 in the stepping stone to that race, Thursday night’s Ford Flex Trophy, a conditions race that has provided the last two UAE Derby winners, Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil; Desert Party bested Regal Ransom by a length.
What was somewhat surprising is what Simon Crisford did not talk about – Midshipman, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion. Hoiles did not ask specifically about the horse, but he didn’t ask about Vineyard Haven either. Crisford brought him up, but said nothing about Midshipman.
While Crisford believes that Desert Party is in fine fettle and seems likely to try the UAE Derby, he did not believe the same about Regal Ransom, who checked in second in the conditions event tonight.
For what its worth…some food for thought.
One Comment
Kiaran said on a Saratoga OTB show last summer that he thought Regal Ransom was his best 2-year-old. It’s interesting they sent him to Dubai with the other goodies.