'Super Saturday' Goes Well for Godolphin

The Godolphin Racing team, trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Frankie Dettori dominated the inaugural "Super Saturday" at Nad Al Sheba, capturing four of the preview races for the Mar. 29 Dubai World Cup card.

With Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum on hand to witness his family's success, 5-year-old Grandera returned to action in his 2003 debut with a victory in the Group 2 Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge Round III, making him one of the likely favorites in the $6 Million Dubai World Cup.

Highest made a successful debut for Godolphin with a win in the Group 3 Dubai City of Gold at 1 1/2 mile on the turf.

Inamorato became Godolphin's best hope for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) by winning the 1 1/8-mile Al Bastikiya.

Dettori and Bin Suroor's initiated their four-bagger with Imtiyaz who was 6 1/2-length winner in the Burj Nahaar, the prep race for the Godolphin Mile.

Several other Godolphin runners were prominent.

Grandera, a chestnut son of Grand Lodge, was sharp in his return to the sandy Nad Al Sheba course for the 10-furlong Maktoum Challenge. He defeated Grundlefoot by a half-length in 2:20 4/5 after rating early and assuming command in the final two furlongs. Grundlefoot was near the rear of the seven-horse field and made a late run to take second from Beauchamp Pilot by 1 1/2 length.

Godolphin's two other runners in the race, Essence Of Dubai and Califet, were fifth and unplaced respectively.

In the Group 3 Mahab al Shimaal, Conroy, a son of Gone West owned by Mohammed Al Jamali, led the six-furlong dash most of the way while racing outside while holding off French-bred Conflict by a neck.

Team Valor, WinStar Farm and Sunmark Partners' Zimbabwe-bred filly Ipi Tombe, trained by South African Mike de Kock, won her sixth straight race in the Group 3 Jebel Hatta, a prep for the Dubai Duty Free. The 4-year-old daughter of Manshood impressively defeated Godolphin's Sights On Gold by 3 3/4 lengths.

After her impressive win over males, she'll likely go favored in the $2-million Dubai Duty Free on Mar. 29.

She's scheduled to go to Elliott Walden in Kentucky after that. Ipi Tombe is now 10 fo 12 lifetime.

Highest made a successful debut for Godolphin by taking the Group 3 Dubai City Of Gold over 12 furlongs on turf.

The 4-year-old Selkirk colt, who was purchased from Highclere Thoroughbred Racing at the end of last season, was settled towards the rear of the 12-horse field.

He gradually improved his position and Dettori sent him to the front two furlongs out. He won nicely by 3/4 length over Grand Ekinoks.

Inamorato will go for the UAE Derby after a convincing win in the Al Bastikiya at 1 1/8 mile on dirt.

The colt is unbeaten in two starts.

Mugharreb finished second while Bin Suroor also saddled Equerry (John Carroll) to finish third.