Dubawi Gold, considered by some observers to have been a slightly unlucky runner-up in the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday, could go next to France in search of the elusive Group 1 success his owner Andrew Tinkler yearns for and try and land the Prix Jean Prat, the race won last year by his stable companion Dick Turpin.
The Richard Hannon-trained colt has now finished second in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, and whilst he came home in a different parish when trying to keep tabs on Frankel at Newmarket, he got within three-quarters-of-a-length of front-running Roderic O’Connor at the Curragh having been settled a long way last before being produced with a late surge under Richard Hughes, who some felt had rather overdone the waiting tactics. Those looking at the horse racing odds today should not be down heartened by his performance.
Having had time to reflect on the Curragh race, Hannon has decided not to cry over spilt milk and is instead considering his options for the son of Dubawi who appears to be progressing with every outing. He believes his charge would start a hot favourite if he goes for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, but would rather go for a Group 1 race that would enhance the three-year-old’s future stallion potential. Having enjoyed such a memorable success when Dick Turpin beat Makfi and other good horses in the Prix Jean Prat last year, the trainer is edging towards sending Dubawi Gold down the same route in a bid to get winning top level figures next to his name.
The other option in the next month is, of course, for Hannon’s charge to try and mix it again with the outstanding Frankel in the St James’s Palace Stakes, but the chances are that he will look to go his own way and head instead to France.
