Godolphin’s Blue Creek falls short as Active Spirit wins 1600m handicap race

Peter Ward 10:26 31/01/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Pat Dobbs-Active Spirit-Meydan

    Godolphin’s Blue Creek, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, was expected to advertise his UAE Derby credentials at Meydan.

    Sadly though, for the vast majority of the Pick Six players, he had failed to read the script and the hot favourite could only manage a closing second behind Active Spirit in the 1600m handicap.

    Trained by Doug Watson, the winner, sporting a visor for the first time, made all under a confident looking Pat Dobbs.

    They went straight to the front, whereas Blue Creek was a stride behind the rest as the gates opened and Buick never looked happy on him. He did make ground to chase the leaders on the home turn but it was then Dobbs set sail for home and Buick’s mount never looked likely to overhaul the deficit.

    In fairness, he looked in need of the experience and at least another 200m.

    Racecourse commentator Terry Spargo described the upset as, “the biggest boil-over of the season and arguably of recent times.”

    Take nothing away from the winner, owned by EERC (Emirates Entertainment Racing Club) whose spokesman, Justin Byrne, said: “We pencilled this race in for him a month ago and were quite confident, until we saw Blue Creek was in the field. The visor has sharpened him up, as we hoped it would and Pat gave him a great ride.”

    Dobbs and Watson had already combined to win the 1200m maiden with Tobaco, who had chased home Blue Creek in a 1600m a month ago.

    Tobaco took a while to get on top but won comfortably enough in the end.

    Watson said: “He is a nice, young horse who is only going to improve. This trip would be short enough for him and we will have to go away and think where to aim him next.”

    Another trainer to saddle a double was Ahmad bin Harmash whose stable jockey, Freddy Tylicki, landed the concluding 1400m turf handicap aboard Championship.

    He was chased home, at a respectable distance by Charlie Croker another for representing the Watson and Dobbs team.

    Bin Harmash was making a quick return to the winner’s enclosure having also landed the preceding 2000m dirt handicap with Brabbham. With Tylicki unable to make the light weight, Harry Bentley was in the saddle.

    Mickael Barzalona had just one ride on the card, in the other turf handicap, over 1800m and justified his presence with a smooth victory on Torchlighter, trained by Salem bin Ghadayer.

    Barzalona said: “The return to turf has suited him and he really enjoyed coming down the centre, out of trouble, and passing tiring horses. It is my first winner of the season so it is very pleasing.”

    Padlock was another runner-up for Dobbs and Watson, unable to pass old adversary Mutahadith in the opening 1200m dirt handicap. Tadhg O’Shea rode the winner for Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

    Recommended