Naheef is star of private Godolphin trials

Naheef was the big winner Tuesday evening at Nad Al Sheba where Godolphin conducted their annual private trials.

The night's three races were all run at one-mile on turf as preps for the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, which will be run at Newmarket on May 4 and 5, respectively. Naheef, who is also a Triple Crown nominee, was ridden by Frankie Dettori to a six-length triumph over Samhari in his heat while getting the mile in 1:39.66. Naheef, the winner of the Group 3 Vintage Stakes as a 2-year-old, is by Marju out of a Mr. Prospector mare and will now go directly to the 2,000 Guineas.

The disappointments of the night were Meshaheer and Dubai Excellence. Meshaheer, a two-time Group 3 winner, finished sixth, 17-1/2 lengths behind Naheef. Dubai Excellence, one of the favorites for the Epsom Derby, was ninth, 37 lengths behind.

Imtiyaz took the other colts' trial, defeating On Edge by 4-1/4 lengths in the time of 1:39.79 with Richard Hills aboard.

In the fillies' trial, Dettori guided Silent Honor to a head victory over the German-bred, Italian Group 3 winner Kazzia. The victorious Sunday Silence filly, the winner of the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes last summer, was clocked in 1:39.99.