Calming result for Godolphin in the mile

Spring might not be the season for fairytales but tell that to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin team, who were up in the clouds after Calming Influence, a first ever runner for Mahmoud Al Zarooni, who has just been appointed as second trainer to the boys in blue, came up with a dream start in the Godolphin Mile, the ninth time the Al Quoz team have won this Group 2 race.

Calming Influence, taking a big jump in class, was given a supremely confident ride by Ahmed Ajtebi making a joyous double celebration for the locals as they held off Green Coast by a length, with Skysurfers, the Godolphin second-string finishing third.

Plans for Cat Junior to make the running went out of the window when he blew the start, and Ajtebi got the perfect lead from long shot Le Drakkar.

The Godolphin-owned Desert Party, the mount of Frankie Dettori, was in trouble before the straight and trailed in 11th.

Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, said:”What a start for Godolphin, and what a day for Mahmoud and Ahmed, who gave Calming Influence such a brilliant ride. He is not easy – he can be hot and run free – but he was in control throughout and I could not be happier for him.

“Mahmoud, too, has done a lot of hard work on Calming Influence, and it is great for the locals, who also give us so much support. Calming Influence will go back to Europe and be aimed at all the top races.
The only disappointment was Desert Party. He was drawn wide and was always doing too much.”