The G2 Cape Verdi S. is a race that has been kind to Godolphin since its inception in 2004, with five renewals going the way of the royal blue. Four of those winners, including the last two editions of the race, were trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who saddles the consistent Promising Run (Hard Spun) in the latest running of the 1600 metre turf contest on Thursday.
Promising Run picked up her first pattern-race win in the G2 Rockfel S. at two, and she added the G3 Istanbul Trophy over this trip the following season before taking the G2 Al Rashidiya S. over a furlong longer at last year's carnival. Promising Run made a good account of herself in her next two outings, beaten 3 1/4 lengths on both occasions when third behind Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. and seventh behind Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Jebel Hatta S. She was last seen finishing third in Lingfield's Listed Fleur de Lys Fillies' S. on Nov. 2.
“She goes well fresh, as she showed last year in the Al Rashidiya, and has blossomed since arriving back in Dubai where the weather clearly suits her,” bin Suroor said. “She has been working well enough, but has never shone in the mornings. It looks a strong Cape Verdi, but we are hoping for a good run.”
Promising Run's chief rivals including European shippers Opal Tiara (Ire) (Thousand Words {GB}) and Rehana (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Mick Channon's Opal Tiara warmed up for this with a fourth behind Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Singspiel S. on Jan. 11, while on the same card Mick Halford's Aga Khan colourbearer Rehana was fourth in a 1400 metre turf handicap.
Mike de Kock sends out Smiling Blue Eyes (SAf) (Dynasty {Saf}), a dual group winner over this trip in South Africa, for her local debut. “She is a nice filly and this was always her first target,” de Kock said. “She will improve for the run but has been going nicely in the mornings.”
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