New career could await Bolter
Compton Bolter could have his attentions turned towards hurdling this winter after ending his long wait for Group success with victory in the Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial at Newbury.
He arrived late on the scene under Darryll Holland to catch Into The Dark in the last couple of strides and prevail by a short head in the Group Three contest.
While a trip to Newmarket could be on the cards for the 25-1 winner, trainer Gerard Butler has not ruled out the possibility of the eight-year-old running over hurdles.
Last season he was given an entry for the Champion Hurdle and owner Erik Penser commented: “It’s a possibility he will go hurdling and we will have to think about it, especially as he’s likely to get his ground in the winter.”
It was an especially popular success for a locally-based operation and Penser, who is a Newbury director, enthused: “This means so much to me because he’s won several Listed races and run in many Group contests without managing a win.
“He’s been all over the world, three times to France, to Dubai four times and once to the States and is such an amazing horse.”
There was a sting in the tail for Holland, however, as he picked up bans totalling four days – two for careless riding and a further two for using his whip down the shoulder and in the forehand position.
He will be out of action on September 27 and 28 and October 3 and 4.
On what proved a good day for local stables, New Seeker showed himself to be as good as ever following a long campaign as he made all to land the Dubai Duty Free Cup by three and a half lengths from Vortex.
The Clive Cox-trained five-year-old travelled beautifully for Dane O’Neill and quickly set his seal on the contest when his rider asked him to quicken away approaching the final furlong.
Cox is keen to aim the 6-4 winner at a Group race in Ireland and said: “There’s a race over seven and a half furlongs at Tipperary. It’s a Group Three and is a distinct possibility but the one thing I wouldn’t do is run him on really soft ground.
“I left the blinkers off him because he’s been in such fantastic form and I think he fully deserves a step up.
“He’s overcome a couple of training setbacks and I’m so full of admiration for him. He’ll definitely stay in training next year.”
If ever the workings of the market told the story it was those which preceded Mostaqeleh’s smooth success for John Dunlop and Richard Hills in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Fillies’ Conditions Stakes.
Backed to the exclusion of anything else, the well-related daughter of Rahy gained her second success from three visits to this venue as she eased to a two-length victory.
Owned by Sheikh Hamdan, Mostaqeleh was cut to 25-1 from 33-1 for the 1000 Guineas by Coral, although her rider believes she will make her mark over middle distances.
Dunlop, who could run her in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket, said: “I was delighted, although there didn’t appear to be much else in the race. She has a very good temperament and and I think we’ll raise our sights, but how far we’ll have to see.
“She’s closely related to Muqbil, who also loved Newbury, and Richard said he feels she’ll get a mile and a half.”
Although he does not hold the Vodafone Derby entry, Mark Johnston’s Winged Cupid was given a 33-1 quote for the premier Classic by Coral, Ladbrokes and VC Bet after his two-length victory over Shahin in the Haynes, Hanson And Clark Conditions Stakes.
His time of 1m 37.50s was a course record.
Kevin Darley brought the son of In The Wings up the centre of the track and the further the winner went, the better he looked, prompting his rider to observe: “There’s not a bad bone in his body. He’s such a gentleman. He stood in the gate as quiet as a lamb but as soon as they opened he was travelling.”
One of his owners, Joy Feerick, said: “Hopefully the Racing Post Trophy will be on his agenda but we are really looking forward to next year with him.”
Mick Channon saddled South Cape to make a winning debut in the EBF Dubai Tennis Championships Maiden Stakes.
The winner was the subject of an on-course gamble and Channon is keen to run Ted Durcan’s mount again before the end of the season.
Frankie Dettori, out of luck with Into The Dark, gained consolation when delivering Safsoof (7-1) late to catch King’s Caprice in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap.
The latter looked all over the winner when kicking a couple of lengths clear inside the distance, but Dettori was at his determined best on the Godolphin-owned winner.
