Godolphin's 'Pegasus' a Live Dewhurst Candidate

The prospect of the top class juvenile pair Frankel and Dream Ahead doing battle in Saturday’s Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, shouldn’t distract  punters from the fact that Godolphin’s unbeaten challenger Saamidd is a fine horse in his own right, and connections expect him to give a very good account of himself, writes Elliot Slater.

The horse known as ‘Pegasus’ at Saeed bin Suroor’s yard in Newmarket has always been held in high regard by those analysing horse racing tips and the Dubaian team, and nothing he has done so far suggests that their confidence has been misplaced. A seven-length winner on debut of a Newbury maiden in August, the Street Cry colt then put up a fine display when easily accounting for the Gimcrack winner Approve at Doncaster last month. Approve finished nine lengths behind Dream Ahead on his subsequent outing, but there is little doubt that Frankie Dettori could have won further at Town Moor had he wanted, and it is possible that Approve was a shade ‘over the top’ when he tackled David Simcock’s high-class colt at HQ last time out.

Henry Cecil’s Frankel is all the rage and very much the focus of attention for the Dewhurst after his 10-length romp at Ascot last time, but the seven furlong Group 1 contest is anything but a one-horse race and Saamidd and Dream Ahead look set to seriously test Frankel’s mettle.

There is a quiet confidence emanating from the Godolphin team and it could well prove highly significant that they have had no qualms whatsoever about taking on Frankel ‘the Wonder Horse’. Certain to stay the mile comfortably next season, (and judging by his pedigree 10 furlongs should also be well within his compass), Saamidd is a fascinating contender who might well be the surprise package in racing tips for today during what will surely prove to be a race to savour.