Godolphin Racing's Mamool, booted home by Frankie Dettori, defeated Black Sam Bellamy and Mick Kinane by a half-length after a game battle through the final furlong of Sunday's Grosser Bugatti Preis (Ger-I) at Baden-Baden.
Dettori celebrated with his flying dismount but later found he had been fined for excessive use of the whip in the race, which was Godolphin's 101st group or grade I victory. Godolophin's main rider missed out on the century-maker when David Flores won the Arlington Million (gr. IT) aboard Sulamani by disqualification last month.
Dano-Mast was third, two lengths behind Black Sam Bellamy, followed by Ransom O'War, who tired. Next Desert, the slight favorite in the field of eight, was a distant sixth, finishing behind disappointing Systematic. The final time for the 1 1/2-mile test on good going was 2:33.75.
Mamool broke on the lead but was settled down in fourth after a quarter-mile. Dettori moved the Irish-bred son of In the Wings up on the outside in the straight and they took the lead from Black Sam Bellamy with a furlong to go. The two battled through the straight, although Mamool always had the advantage, getting the victory while driving.
Mamool may be headed for the Melbourne Cup (Aus-I), although a Godolphin representative said the Arc would also be considered.
