D’Bai Leads Home Appleby Trifecta at Meydan

[Wandering Eyes]

D’Bai (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})’s victory in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort was the second win for Godolphin on the night at Meydan and started a double for trainer Charlie Appleby, who would take the nightcap with Spotify (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) one race later. Subsequent MG1SW Jungle Cat (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) saluted in this 1400-metre feature one year ago for the same connections before retiring to Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland for his first season this year.

The hooded 5-year-old was content to settle near the rear of the field perched three off the fence as Janoobi (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}) set fractions of :25.68 for the opening quarter and :48.74 for the half-mile. D’Bai shifted out to the six path as the field straightened up with a quarter mile remaining and made headway up the center of the course with fellow Godolphin colorbearer Bravo Zolo (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) also letting down well as Janoobi faded. Championship (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) picked up the baton along the fence, and Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ Lansky (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) also appeared to be in with a chance. Given a few right handers by James Doyle a furlong from home, the bay edged willingly clear and drew off to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Mythical Magic (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) charged up in between horses inside the final 100 metres and was a half-length to the good of the dead-heating pair of Lansky and Bravo Zolo. Top Score (GB) (Hard Spun) was another 1 3/4 lengths back in fifth. Chris Waller’s first Dubai runner, G1SW Comin’ Through (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) was a one-paced seventh.

Commented Appleby, who also saddled the runner-up and joint-third ,”This was [D’bai’s] first run and I was pleased with his preparation. Seven furlongs is probably his ultimate trip. We were confident coming in that he was fit and ready and this was a good trip to get him started. We could drop him back six furlongs, but he’s probably [a] horse who will wind up going internationally again. He could just do one Dubai run and then look toward Europe and Australia.”

“He seems to thrive out here, but ultimately the first time is the time to catch him,” said jockey James Doyle. “From a slightly awkward draw, I ended up in an awkward position, but thankfully I had cover all the way. I probably pressed the panic button a bit soon, because from where I was I couldn’t really. I knew Janoobi was out there and we had beaten him last year. In five strides we were in front. Full credit to the horse, as he likes to be delivered a bit later than that and I am sure we will probably do that next time.”

A winner in the G3 John Of Gaunt S. at Haydock last June, D’Bai ran sixth in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot later that month and went one better in Goodwood’s July 31 G2 Lennox S. One-paced in when sixth to Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in Deauville’s G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in early August, the Appleby runner’s fortunes were on the improve, with a fourth in the G3 Prix de Meautry Barriere on Aug. 26 and a neck second in the G2 Park S. at Doncaster on Sept. 15. Returning on Oct. 12 at Headquarters, D’Bai stayed on to take third in the G2 Challenge S. over seven furlongs.

Pedigree Notes…

D’Bai is the latest successful runner by Dubawi (Ire) and out of the winning Savannah Belle and is one of 163 black-type winners for his Darley sire. First to claim headlines was English GSW & MG1SP Dubawi Gold (GB), who ran second in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas and was also third in the G1 Lockinge S. Fort Knox (GB) earned his black-type win in the Listed 2000 Guineas Trial S. at Leopardstown and also placed at Group 3 level in Ireland, while Savannah Storm (GB) was also stakes placed. Their dam, out of G2 Ribblesdale S. heroine Third Watch (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB}), has an unraced 3-year-old named Biblic (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and a juvenile full-brother to that filly who has yet to be named. She visited the court of Zoffany (Ire) last spring. D’Bai’s third dam is also responsible for Italian champion juvenile filly Three Tails (GB) (Blakeney {GB}), who was placed at Group 1 level in Italy, France and England, English highweight and G1 English 1000 Guineas bridesmaid Maysoon (GB) (Shergar {GB}) and MGSW & G1SP Richard of York (GB) (Rainbow Quest). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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