U.S. Winner Rosencrans Tops Dubai Field

By Jason Ford
Godolphin's Rosencrans, winner of his sole juvenile start in the United States last year, turned the 3-year-old conditions race over 1,500 meters at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night into a procession.

A son of Forest Wildcat, he would appeal as a progressive type who clearly enjoyed the drop back from a mile – over which he was third in the UAE 2,000 Guineas on his Dubai bow.

Bred by Swifty Farms, Rosencrans cost John Ferguson $200,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Sale and is the second foal out of General's Mistress, a placed General Meeting half-sister to five winners. These include the grade III winner Diablo, who was also placed in grade I company. General's Mistress has a juvenile filly by Best Of Luck named Lucky Mistress, as well as a yearling filly by Announce and a colt foal by Holy Bull.

Saddad, a 5-year-old son of Gone West bred by Foxfield, won for the first time since he landed the Flying Childers (Eng-II) at Doncaster. Ridden by Richard Hills, headed a Doug Watson 1-2, beating stable companion Sleeping Weapon.

Team Valor's Super Brand, a 4-year-old grade III-winning Royal Chalice half-sister to grade I winner Trademark, made a very pleasing UAE debut for the in-form Mike de Kock/ Weiching Marwing combination. Super Brand ran on to finish a close second in a turf handicap over an inadequate 1,300 meters. She was staying on well at the end, behind Pic Up Sticks, and will surely be stepped up in trip.

Dermot Weld's Evolving Tactics won the American Derby (gr. IIT) at Arlington last July before a credible sixth stepped up into group I company. Having his first start since, he was far too good for the other 11 in the concluding mile handicap on turf.

Weld is a proven globetrotter and the 4-year-old gelded son of Machiavellian was always travelling like a winner under Ted Durcan, who was passing the post in first for the fourth time on the night. Durcan lost one race when weighing in light, however.