At Age 9, Dubai Future Earns Drink From the Gold Cup
After winning a prep race for the Dubai Gold Cup (G2T) in February, Godolphin’s Dubai Future secured the big prize April 5 at Meydan Racecourse when he rallied from the back half of the field to secure a two-length victory in the $1 million marathon.
A different Godolphin runner, Trawlerman , led throughout most of the race—setting a slow pace under William Buick as he looked to improve on last year’s third-place finish in this 3,200-meter (about two-mile) test for 4-year-olds and older. Dubai Future raced comfortably in seventh under Silvestre De Sousa throughout the early going.
In the final turn, the field bunched up as the late runners launched their moves and then Trawlerman was asked for his best 700 meters from the finish. Trawlerman was in the thick of a three-horse stretch battle when Dubai Future found his best gear toward the center of the course rated as good and surged to the lead. He completed the race in 3:21.50.
At the age of 9, Dubai Future, a gelded son of Dubawi , lands the most lucrative victory of his career. Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, he won the about 1 3/4-mile Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3) Feb. 21 at Meydan and stayed in that top form for Saturday’s race that kicked off nine group stakes for Thoroughbreds on the card topped by the Dubai World Cup (G1).
“He has improved this year, even though I know he’s 9-years-old,” said the winning trainer. “This year he came to Dubai a month ago and I know the way to train him. I told Silvestre to keep him behind and the key is to keep him relaxed.
“He is a mile-and-a-quarter or mile-and-a-half horse but we tried him over a mile and six (furlongs) and now two miles and he’s done well.”
Racing for Wertheimer and Frere, Double Major raced in second throughout the race and finished there while Akela Thoroughbreds’ Epic Poet claimed third. Trawlerman finished fifth.
This story will be updated with recaps of the other turf races on the Dubai World Cup card as well as additional detail.
