American Gr1 winner Raging Torrent provided trainer Doug O’Neill a second consecutive running of the Godolphin Mile and third overall, turning away the pace-pressing Mufasa with less than 400 metres to travel before easily holding off France’s King Gold and Kazu Petrin for Japan.
It was an eighth Godolphin Mile for the legendary Frankie Dettori and a 24th winner at the Dubai World Cup meeting, double the number of any of his peers.
Raging Torrent runs right away from them under Frankie Dettori (Pic – DRC / Liesl King)
Smoothly into stride from a middle gate, the four-year-old colt soon led but was joined to his outside by American import Mufasa, making his UAE debut for Bhupat Seemar and RRR Racing, who won this event two years ago with Isolate.
Settled into a nice rhythm through the middle sections, Raging Torrent was put to a drive on the swing for home, looked to be going the better of the two fighting out the fractions entering the straight and pinched a winning break to score comfortably in 1:36.69.
A delighted Frankie Dettori! (Pic – DRC / Liesl King)
Dettori commented: “He’s such a lovely horse and he did the rest. You need the horse to lead like he did, he was quick away and I was able to do my own fractions. In fairness, he’s always been a sprinter in America. So I was thinking of that, I didn’t want to kick too early.”
Added O’Neill: “I was confident, but that’s why you run these races, you never know. He had a good, clean break, got the lead, got a little breather mid-race. Speed was always going to be his strength. I’m on cloud nine and I’ve got to thank everyone here.”
Dettori, reflecting on his Dubai record, said: “Eight Godolphin Miles, that’s a hell of a record. I think it’s fair to say I grew up here. It’s great satisfaction coming back and winning – and hopefully I can win the World Cup again.”
