Racehorse Dawn Approach gives Godolphin welcome boost

NEWMARKET, United Kingdom (AFP) –

Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, attends the Dubai World Cup horse race, in the Gulf emirate on March 30, 2013. At Newmarket on Saturday racehorse ‘Dawn Approach’ made it seven wins from seven starts winning the English 2000 Guineas giving the embattled Godolphin Operation which the sheikh owns, a welcome boost.

Unbeaten Dawn Approach made it seven wins from seven starts on Saturday as he won the English 2000 Guineas to give the embattled Godolphin Operation a welcome piece of good news.

Trained by Irishman Jim Bolger the 11/8 favourite – whose sire New Approach finished second in the same race in 2008 – stormed clear in the final furlong under Kevin Manning to give Bolger his first win in the race.

Manning, Bolger’s son-in-law, eased him up at the line five lengths clear of 150/1 outsider Glory Awaits, while 20/1 shot Van der Neer was third.

For Godolphin and its’ boss Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum it comes after a turbulent two weeks where one of his trainers’, Mahmood al Zarooni, was banned for eight years for administering 15 horses with steroids.

Much had been made of whether Sheikh Mohammed would appear at the meeting or not after the al Zarooni scandal but he was present and acclaimed the winner, 51percent of whom he had bought from Bolger in June last year.

“I’m always very very happy to come and watch a good horse, but I think this one is great horse,” said the 63-year-old, who made one of his better decisions in hindsight when he decided to keep the horse with Bolger and not send him to al-Zarooni in October last year.

Sheikh Mohammed said there had never been any question of him not coming despite the furore and the embarrassment to him.

“I am not a shirker,” he said before refusing to answer a question about the al Zarooni case.

Bolger – who was winning his ninth classic – said that his stable star had even amazed him with his performance.

“As you people (the media) might say I’m blown away!” said the 71-year-old.

“I am very happy, very impressed with him and he can only improve.”

Bolger said that he would be keen to go on to the Epsom Derby (run over an extra half mile to the mile of the Guineas) should Sheikh Mohammed wish so and try and repeat New Approach’s win in the blue riband of the turf in 2008.

“Well we both said we would sleep on it and then decide,” he said.

“However, I would be very happy to go to the Derby and I am sure he will get the distance,” added Bolger, who trained New Approach for Sheikh Mohammed’s wife Princess Haya of Jordan.

Toronado had been seen as Dawn Approach’s major rival as he too was unbeaten but despite being upsides the winner entering the final furlong, he failed to quicken to drop back to fourth and left his camp bemused at his performance.

“It looked like developing into a match but it didn’t develop into one and we are very disappointed,” said Richard Hannon junior, assistant to his father Richard.