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Official Quotes $300,000 Al Bastakiya (Listed)
Course and Distance Prep for $2.5 million UAE Derby (G2)
Winner: DIVINE IMAGE
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Brett Doyle
Official Time: 1:59.07 (1900m, Track Record: 1:55.18 – Mendelssohn, 2018)
Margin of Victory: 7¼ Lengths
Charlie Appleby, Trainer, DIVINE IMAGE (1st)—“That’s what we’ve seen from her. She’s a great finisher. Full credit to the team. She’s been tricky, but Brett’s been riding her the last two weeks since we knew William couldn’t do the weight. I’m delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed who is here this evening to see her. She’s a very talented filly, but she’s learning on the job and this was a team effort tonight. Before the race we had the discussion of if she were to win, we wouldn’t rush into (making a decision about the UAE Derby). It’s definitely on the cards, but we also have the Kentucky Oaks to take into consideration.”
Brett Doyle, Jockey, DIVINE IMAGE (1st)—“It’s great to see it work all around. All through the winter, Charlie has done a great job with her. I’ve had the pleasure of her the last week or so. She’s an improving filly. She’s lovely and won it very well. She’s a filly who likes to get on with it. She’ll get better as she goes along, like she showed today.”
Connor Beasley, Jockey, SUPERIOR (2nd)—“He jumped pretty smartly and travelled great throughout the race. I probably got to the front earlier than ideal. Take nothing away from the horse. He’s run his third start and didn’t run the best last time, but there were excuses for that. He showed his class today. Obviously, the winner has won well, but she had only 53 on her back and has a lot more experience than my fellow.”
Fernando Jara, Jockey, MANGUZI (3rd)—“It was a great race for him coming from a bad draw, but we are very happy with him. He did great. He tried hard, as usual. Three more weeks now and we will be more ready for the next race. If we get a good draw next time, hopefully we will be ok.”
Fabrice Veron, Jockey, AL HAYETTE (4th)—“She tried very hard. Today she was more focused. We got out of the woods, you know. She finished distant, but ran very well. She has a big heart.”
Pat Cosgrave, Jockey, ESTIHDAAF (13th, Beaten Favourite)—“I just got put a bit too wide and the race was over sort of half-way (through it). We were too wide; that’s all. Hopefully he will come back for the (UAE) Derby and get a nice draw. He was just too wide today.”
Winner: DIVINE IMAGE
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Brett Doyle
Official Time: 1:59.07 (1900m, Track Record: 1:55.18 – Mendelssohn, 2018)
Margin of Victory: 7¼ Lengths
Charlie Appleby, Trainer, DIVINE IMAGE (1st)—“That’s what we’ve seen from her. She’s a great finisher. Full credit to the team. She’s been tricky, but Brett’s been riding her the last two weeks since we knew William couldn’t do the weight. I’m delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed who is here this evening to see her. She’s a very talented filly, but she’s learning on the job and this was a team effort tonight. Before the race we had the discussion of if she were to win, we wouldn’t rush into (making a decision about the UAE Derby). It’s definitely on the cards, but we also have the Kentucky Oaks to take into consideration.”
Brett Doyle, Jockey, DIVINE IMAGE (1st)—“It’s great to see it work all around. All through the winter, Charlie has done a great job with her. I’ve had the pleasure of her the last week or so. She’s an improving filly. She’s lovely and won it very well. She’s a filly who likes to get on with it. She’ll get better as she goes along, like she showed today.”
Connor Beasley, Jockey, SUPERIOR (2nd)—“He jumped pretty smartly and travelled great throughout the race. I probably got to the front earlier than ideal. Take nothing away from the horse. He’s run his third start and didn’t run the best last time, but there were excuses for that. He showed his class today. Obviously, the winner has won well, but she had only 53 on her back and has a lot more experience than my fellow.”
Fernando Jara, Jockey, MANGUZI (3rd)—“It was a great race for him coming from a bad draw, but we are very happy with him. He did great. He tried hard, as usual. Three more weeks now and we will be more ready for the next race. If we get a good draw next time, hopefully we will be ok.”
Fabrice Veron, Jockey, AL HAYETTE (4th)—“She tried very hard. Today she was more focused. We got out of the woods, you know. She finished distant, but ran very well. She has a big heart.”
Pat Cosgrave, Jockey, ESTIHDAAF (13th, Beaten Favourite)—“I just got put a bit too wide and the race was over sort of half-way (through it). We were too wide; that’s all. Hopefully he will come back for the (UAE) Derby and get a nice draw. He was just too wide today.”