Summer Romance thriving in the sunshine ahead of Cape Verdi mission

Godolphin have dominated the Cape Verdi (4.15) for the last five seasons and they have strong claims of continuing that run, with Summer Romance heading the five contenders for Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor.

Although Bin Suroor won three Cape Verdi's on the spin between 2016 and 2018, it is Appleby who has provided the winner for the last two years, most recently with Magic Lily.

Appleby got off the mark for the Dubai World Cup carnival last week and is represented by Summer Romance, a Group 3 winner at Epsom last summer, and Althiqa, a model of consistency last season but is yet to win above Listed level.

He said: "They are two nice fillies. Althiqa was very consistent in Europe last year, winning a Listed race and placing in a Group 3. She looks ideal for this test.

Cape Verdi: Godolphin's run of success

2016 Very Special (Saeed bin Suroor)
2017 Very Special (Saeed bin Suroor)
2018 Promising Run (Saeed bin Suroor)
2019 Poetic Charm (Charlie Appleby)
2020 Magic Lily (Charlie Appleby)

All five winners were favourite and went off 15-8 or shorter. Four winners wore the blue cap, with Magic Lily was the sole winner in a white cap.

“Summer Romance has wintered really well and has thrived in the sunshine. Her last start in a Group 1 just did not go to plan, but she showed at Epsom that she is a very useful filly.”

Dubai Love is the top rated of Bin Suroor's three contenders but the other two, Last Look and Stunning Beauty, add extra intrigue as they bring unbeaten records into the race.

Last Look (Harry Bentley) started in the humble surroundings of Chelmsford, Nottingham and Ffos Las but has passed each test with ease, although she will have to defy an absence of 524 days and a significant rise in class.

Frankie Dettori left the first meeting of the carnival with two winners and partners Stunning Beauty, who is one of four rides for the Italian jockey. She won two novice events at Newmarket's July course and Leicester last summer by a combined winning distance of 11 and a half lengths.

Stunning Beauty won two novice contests impressively last summerCredit: Pool

"Stunning Beauty is a very talented, but somewhat quirky filly,” Bin Suroor said. “She looks the ideal type for the Cape Verdi and is unbeaten, as is Last Look who has been given plenty of time as she is a bit fragile.

“Dubai Love is just a tough, genuine and versatile filly who landed the UAE 1000 Guineas on dirt last year.”

The Roger Varian-trained Stylistique, a Listed winner at Deauville on her last start, is also in contention and renews rivalry with the Charlie Fellowes-trained Perfect Inch, who was a length and a quarter behind her in France and competes on the same terms here.

The UAE 1,000 Guineas (4.50) is the other feature at Meydan and Dettori and Bin Suroor combine with Soft Whisper, a smooth winner at the track three weeks ago.

Bin Suroor, seeking a 12th success in the Listed contest and fifth win in eight years, said: "Soft Whisper won twice in Britain last year and did well to win the trial after a slow start. The extra furlong should suit and we are expecting a big run.”

Doug Watson trained the first winner of the carnival last week and is represented by Mnasek, Super Chianti and Heshmah in the seven-runner field.

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