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Meydan Racecourse hosts 2nd Dubai World Cup Carnival Meeting of 2019

$100,000 DUBAI TROPHY

Winner: GOOD FORTUNE

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Jockey: James Doyle

Official Time: 1:24.12 (1400mT)

Margin of Victory: .75 lengths

James Doyle, Jockey, GOOD FORTUNE (1st)—“It went off quite nicely on a horse that has shown decent level of ability at home. He was drawn very wide in a competitive field with plenty of runners, which can make it a bit tricky. He jumped well, did everything well and relaxed very nicely. He has thrived out here and looks like he has grown a bit. He looks pretty solid, now, and hopefully we can have a bit more fun. I was always pretty happy with him. He didn’t click away in the straight, but he just kept lengthening and it just turned out well.”

Charlie Appleby, Trainer, GOOD FORTUNE (1st)—“He’s certainly done well since he’s been out here. I feel stepping up in trip after this is only going to be his forte. He’ll obviously most likely go on to the Meydan Classic; the most natural progression for him.”

Jim Crowley, Jockey, WOVEN (2nd)— “It went well. It’s his first start out here and he ran well and he’ll improve off this race. It was a good run.”

Chris Hayes, Jockey, TROLIUS (3rd)— “We had a very bad draw, but it was a good trip. I got across into a nice position; probably a length or two off the eventual winner. He probably wants farther than this trip. If they kept a good gallop going, I thought I could have caught him. It’s a good, promising run. He’s done everything right; couldn’t’ fault him.”

Patrick Cosgrave, Jockey, SPORTING CHANCE (12th, Beaten Favourite)—“He probably just needed the run and got a little tired in the straight, but it’s his first run for a while. I’d just say he needed a run.”

$100,000 UAE 2000 Guineas Trial

Winner: WALKING THUNDER

Owner: Phoenix Ladies Syndicate

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash

Jockey: Connor Beasley

Official Time: 1:38.43 (1600m)

Margin of Victory: 9 Lengths

Connor Beasley, Jockey, WALKING THUNDER (1st)— “From a wide draw, I just thought I would let him jump and, instead of fighting, let him breathe and find his feet. He did that really well today and he travelled very easily. He is a real professional in his mannerisms; the way he goes to start—just everything. To me, he feels like a good horse. When the draw came out, I was a bit disappointed, but in hindsight, it worked out really well. I’ve let him get into stride and I had no kickback in his face; not that he minds kickback. He had a smooth passage throughout and I think that was probably key.”

Ahmad bin Harmash, Trainer, WALKING THUNDER (1st)—“He’s a very good horse. We are trying to get to the UAE Derby with him. He’s doing very well and has trained very well. He ran a great race. Congratulations to this new group of owners. We weren’t worried about the (draw). He’s a horse who runs fast from the gate and it didn’t scare us that much. It looks like he can travel the Derby distance.”

Christophe Soumillon, Jockey, ROYAL MARINE (4th, Beaten Favourite)—“We got off to a slow start and he finished well in the end. He needed that run.”