Gamilati seals Meydan victory
Gamilati gave notice that she will be a force to be reckoned with at this year's Dubai Carnival and beyond with a fine comeback victory at Meydan today.
The Godolphin-owned filly was a brilliant winner of last year's Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket, but was a big disappointment on her final juvenile start in the Lowther Stakes at York in August.
Making her first starts since in the Longines-sponsored UAE 1000 Guineas Trial, Mahmood Al Zarooni's filly was sent off the 4-11 favourite to beat five rivals and the result was never in doubt.
As Stan Moore's pacesetting filly Mary Fildes weakened, Frankie Dettori cruised up hard on the bridle on the market leader and scooted clear in the final furlong to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Alsindi.
Sheikh Mohammed, head of the Godolphin operation, said: "It's very nice for Gamilati to come back and begin her year like that.
"She didn't have much time to prepare for this and it is a good start.
"I think that we will run her in the UAE 1,000 Guineas (February 3) and then save her for Europe because a mile is her distance - no more."
Al Zarooni told www.godolphin.com: "I am very happy that. Gamilati had an easy race today and wasn't put under pressure.
"I don't think that the race will take a lot out of her and she should improve for her first start of the year.
"Frankie gave her a clever ride and she should have no problem with the step up to a mile next month."
The three legs of the Meydan Masters International Jockeys Championship were won by three different riders.
Kenichi Ikezoe struck first on 6-1 shot Street Act, beating Mickael Barzalona and Profondo Rosso by a length.
Crack Australian rider Craig Williams then hit the target on Graymalkin (9-1), before Angel's Pursuit came so close to scoring for Irish trainer David Marnane, only to be mugged on the line by Christophe Lemaire and Firestreak.
Jamr (5-2) got the better of hot favourite Sharaayeen to claim the Longines Master Moon Phases Handicap.
Richard Hills was hard at work on the market leader inside the final furlong and Pat Cosgrave and Jamr went by him easily to score by a cosy length and a quarter.
Even-money favourite Sand Stamp proved a different class to his rivals in the Longines Docle Vita Collection Maiden.
Capably handled by Richard Mullen, the chestnut colt readily pulled clear to score by a length and a half.
Sand Stamp's trainer Satish Seemar completed a first and last race double with the Harry Bentley-ridden Lord Tiger in the Longines Conquest Collection (Handicap).
