Godolphin duo hit the track

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Sulamani and Punctilious, Godolphin stablemates who will be looking to orchestrate a Canadian International-E.P. Taylor Stakes double here Sunday, both stretched their legs over the main track Tuesday morning.

The $1.5 million International and the $750,000 Taylor, both Grade 1 turf races, will include contestants from Europe, the United States, and Canada.

Sulamani, a multiple Group 1 winner of more than $4.3 million, jogged once around the one-mile track under exercise rider Gerry Moylan.

Punctilious, who finished second to the Breeders' Cup-bound Ouija Board in the Grade 1 Irish Oaks this summer, cantered under exercise rider Seamus O'Gorman.

Sulamani, who is expected to have 11 opponents in the 1 1/2-mile International, will be making his first start since capturing the Group 1 Juddmonte International on Aug. 17 at York.

"He came back a little bit sore," said Tony Howarth, an assistant to Saeed bin Suroor, who trains Sulamani and Punctilious. "It was a slight setback, nothing too dramatic. He just needed time to get over it and get back to himself."

Sulamani also was considered for races such as the recent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Champion Stakes, but Godolphin decided his best spot would be the Canadian International.

Sulamani, a 5-year-old horse, started three times in the United States last year, winning the Grade 1 Arlington Million via disqualification and the Grade 1 Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont.

In his final appearance of 2003, Sulamani finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita over going that may have been too firm for his liking.

"Ideally, he'd prefer to get his toe in," said Howarth.

Punctilious, a 3-year-old filly, is expected to face nine rivals in the E.P. Taylor, a 1 1/4-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Frankie Dettori, who rode Mutafaweq to victory for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor in the 2000 International, has the call on both Sulamani and Punctilious.

Light exercise for Mubtaker

Mubtaker, who arrived along with the Godolphin runners late Sunday afternoon, cantered on the turf course Tuesday under exercise rider Angela McCleary.

Mubtaker, a 7-year-old, has won 9 of 19 starts and finished in the money 18 times while banking $917,998.

* The International lost a European candidate when Gamut's connections said he would not be making the trip after emerging from a training session in less-than-ideal condition.