Ispolini's win in Nad al Sheba Trophy bittersweet for Godolphin

Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby won the Group 3, $300,000 Nad al Sheba Trophy Stakes on Thursday night at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai with Ispolini, but lost their talented colt Brundtland during the race’s running.

Brundtland, a 4-year-old group stakes winner making his first start in Dubai, was stalking the lead on the outside in this about 1 3/4-mile turf race when he suddenly went wrong and was pulled up by jockey William Buick with a little more than a half-mile to run. Appleby later was quoted on the Godolphin website saying Brundtland had been catastrophically injured and had to be euthanized.

Ispolini, another 4-year-old, has stretched out to a true staying distance this winter and from all appearances relishes it, though clearly his task Thursday became much easier with heavy favorite Brundtland out of the race. Still, Ispolini, Mickael Barzalona up, performed impressively, gliding up to the lead with more than a quarter-mile to race and pulling away to win by 10 ½ lengths.

Ispolini is by Dubawi out of Giant’s Way, by Giant’s Causeway. He won for the third time in eight starts and now has captured two straight on the Meydan turf, both at this extended trip. Godolphin originally had targeted an Australian campaign this spring, but Ispolini, having won so well Thursday, might now be considered for the Dubai Gold Cup on the World Cup undercard March 30.