Beware of 'other' Godolphin in Al Rashidiya

Bettors might take a lesson from the Al Fahidi Fort Stakes on Jan. 6, opening night of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Heavily favored Noble Truth had William Buick, top rider for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby. He finished last of 15. James Doyle rode Al Suhail for Godolphin and Appleby. He won by four lengths. This was reminiscent of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, where Doyle piloted Rebel’s Romance to victory as Buick rode shorter-priced Nations Pride to a fifth-place finish.

These are exceptions to the general rule, but they should be kept in mind in the featured Al Rashidiya Stakes on Friday at Meydan Racecourse. Doyle has the mount on Valiant Prince while Buick gets a leg up on his Appleby-trained Godolphin stablemate Ottoman Empire; both horses are capable of winning the Group 2, $180,000 Al Rashidiya over about 1 1/8 miles on turf.

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Ottoman Empire just turned 4 and went 2-3-0 from six starts during 2022, his first year of racing. He’s a listed stakes winner over 1 1/4 miles and comes into this start progressive and relatively unexposed. Valiant Prince won two minor turf starts with aplomb during the 2022 Carnival, flopped in England upon his return to Europe last summer, but came back with a sharp victory June 10 in the listed Glanton Stakes at York. That marked his most recent start and Valiant Prince to date has been a miler, but don’t be surprised if he comes back ready to roll in the Al Rashidiya.

One other horse of note: the 4-year-old Zagrey, who clearly is capable of winning with his best. Zagrey might want to race farther than this but was second last year in the 10-furlong, Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam before capping his 3-year-old campaign with a solid listed win Oct. 30 at Chantilly.

The fifth of seven races at Meydan, the Al Rashidiya has a post time of 11:20 a.m. Eastern. Watch and wager at DRFBets.com.

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