Long John a warm order for UAE Derby
Published:Long John looks an exciting prospect for Godolphin this season having been transferred from Australia. He made his debut for Charlie Appleby in the UAE 2000 Guineas last month and stormed clear of Emirates Flyer to win by four and a half lengths.
He was a smart performer in Australia last season, winning the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile. He took his chance in the Cox Plate on his final start of the season but finished only ninth behind Shamus Award.
The gelding has a reputation for showing very little at home and Appleby was well-warned. He certainly showed the right attitude on the track here last time, forging clear in the closing stages.
The big danger looks to be Aidan O’Brien’s Giovanni Boldini who put up such a brave effort when second to Outstrip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He looked sure to win under Ryan Moore until Godolphin’s grey swept by in the closing stages.
He appeared to have had his limitations exposed when only third to Toormore in the National Stakes at the Curragh but that horse went on to be top-rated two-year-old. He is entered in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas and receives 10lbs from Long John.
Asmar looks a smart three-year-old after slamming Emirates Flyer by six lengths in a Listed race here. That was his first victory in four starts but he was well beaten by Long John last month at Meydan.
Jamie Osborne has put in a good word for his Wolverhampton winner Toast Of New York. A winner of median auction and novice stakes races on the all-weather would not normally warrant a second look here but he has won by an aggregate of 28 lengths.
He has also been supported each-way at long odds and holds entries in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Irish Derby at the Curragh. Safety Check was slightly disappointing last time while Sir John Hawkins and Jallota look well exposed.
