Like old times as Dettori and Bin Suroor win UAE 1,000 Guineas with Soft Whisper

It was just like old times as Frankie Dettori linked up with Saeed bin Suroor in the Godolphin blue to record another victory in the UAE 1,000 Guineas on Soft Whisper, who beat her rivals out of sight.

Sent off at 4-9, Soft Whisper broke smartly from the stalls – in total contrast to runner-up Mnasek who missed the kick – and was soon in the lead.

That was where she stayed and the result was a formality a long way out as the Dubawi filly streaked clear to win with any amount in hand, the official distance of seven lengths only a hint of her dominance.

"She has a bright future and Saeed's mentioned everything – Saudi, UAE Oaks and the UAE Derby – and he's excited by her," said Dettori.

"We had big hopes for her and maybe she's not beaten the best in the world, but you can only be impressed with the way that she's done it. If she runs in the UAE Oaks she will have to race against the same horses, more or less, and we'll take it one step at a time."

Dettori, fresh from being crowned the world's best jockey for the third year in a row, last won the Longines-sponsored UAE 1,000 Guineas in 2012, while Bin Suroor celebrated a 12th success in the race.

The 50-year-old jockey has made a return to the carnival this year and gained his first winner in Dubai since 2012 last week on the Bin Suroor-trained Land Of Legends.

He rode a double at the opening fixture and repeated the feat here when striking for Bin Suroor again on Bedouin's Story in the mile handicap.

Althiqa extends Appleby's Cape Verdi domination

Charlie Appleby registered a third consecutive success in the Group 2 Cape Verdi when Althiqa came from last to first under James Doyle.

The third choice of the Godolphin team in the betting at 7-2, Althiqa was dropped right out off a strong pace set by freegoing stablemate Summer Romance before charging down the home straight for a comfortable victory.

The ultra-consistent Althiqa, who was last seen in action finishing second to Foxtrot Lady in the Sceptre Fillies' Stakes at Doncaster in September, was winning for the fourth time and has yet to finish out of the frame in eight starts.

Appleby and Doyle were following up victories with Magic Lily and Poetic Charm in the Longines-sponsored mile contest which Godolphin have won every year since 2016.

The Roger Varian-trained Stylistique followed a similar route through as the winner to emerge as the main danger. However, she hindered her chance by wandering around in the closing stages and was held by two and a quarter lengths at the line.

Despite the victory, there was one sour note for Doyle, who was hit with a three-meeting ban, which includes one Meydan fixture on February 11, after being found guilty of careless riding on Althiqa.

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