By Tom Frary
Godolphin had Saturday's G3 Dubai Autumn S. at Newmarket to themselves from a long way out before Military March (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) edged out Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in a thriller for a one-two for the operation. Sent off at 4-1 returning from a debut win in a strong-looking seven-furlong maiden on the July Course here July 27, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained bay was content on the front end under Oisin Murphy against the rail. Always travelling well within himself, he had everything bar the Charlie Appleby runner Al Suhail beaten heading to two out and was passed by that rival soon after having given him the rail. Organised after the “dip” to offer a resurgence, the homebred son of the G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Punctilious (GB) (Danehill) was back in front with 100 yards remaining and stayed on to score by a half length, with seven back to Ropey Guest (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) in third.
“He's beautiful to ride and a lovely horse,” Murphy said. “He relaxed beautifully in front and he is going to stay 10 furlongs well as he really hit the line and took a bit of pulling up. He has a big future and got through that ground, but for a big, raw physical like him it was hard work.” Bin Suroor added, “We've always liked him and he's a big strong horse who can handle any ground and always works nicely in the mornings. We'll give him a break now and take him to Dubai and talk to Sheikh Mohammed about plans. It is too early to say if he would run in Dubai, but I need horses for the UAE Guineas and Derby. If he handled the dirt well out there he would run out there, but if not we will just bring him back.”
The aforementioned Punctilious was a solid performer for this stable, registering a well-deserved first top-level victory in the 2005 Yorkshire Oaks from Dash To the Top (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) who went on to produce this year's G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Third in the G1 Fillies' Mile as a juvenile, she also captured the G3 Musidora S. and G2 Ribblesdale S. and was placed in the G1 Epsom and Irish Oaks and GI E. P. Taylor S. Her best prior to Military March was Clongowes (Ire), also by New Approach who was third in the G3 Vintage Crop S., but her five foals to date to make the track have all won.
The second dam is Robertet (Roberto) who took the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville and was third in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak before also throwing the multiple group-winning sire Risk Seeker (GB) (Elmaamul). Also related to the G1 Eclipse S.-winning sire Solford (Nijinsky II), Punctilious has a yearling colt by Dubawi (Ire) and a filly full-sister to Military March.
Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
DUBAI AUTUMN S.-G3, £60,000, Newmarket, 10-12, 2yo, 8fT, 1:40.47, sf.
1–MILITARY MARCH (GB), 127, c, 2, by New Approach (Ire)
1st Dam: Punctilious (GB) (G1SW-Eng, G1SP-Ire & GISP-Can, $889,375), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Robertet, by Roberto
3rd Dam: Ethics, by Nijinsky II
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Oisin Murphy. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $49,445. *Full to Clongowes (Ire), GSP-Ire, $144,648. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Al Suhail (GB), 127, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Shirocco Star (GB), by Shirocco (Ger). (1,100,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Meon Valley Stud (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £12,900.
3–Ropey Guest (GB), 127, c, 2, Cable Bay (Ire)–Hadeeya (GB), by Oratorio (Ire). (31,000gns Wlg '17 TATFOA; £110,000 Ylg '18 GOUKPR; £55,000 2yo '19 TATABR). O-John Guest Racing; B-Mrs S. Hamilton & Kirtlington Stud Ltd (GB); T-George Margarson. £6,456.
Margins: HF, 7, NK. Odds: 4.00, 4.00, 33.00.
Also Ran: Molatham (GB), Persia (Ire), Johan (GB), Cherokee Trail, Dontaskmeagain. Scratched: Melody King (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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