Godolphin's Fravashi has a tough assignment in his European debut today when he lines up in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, one of Britain's top sprints. The five-year-old son of Falbrav lines up against Group Two scorer Showcasing, the Group One Darley July Cup heroine Fleeting Spirit, the Hong Kong challengers Happy Zero and Joy And Fun, plus the US raider Kinsale King in the six-furlong contest.
Frankie Dettori, who partnered Godolphin's So Factual to victory in the 1995 Golden Jubilee Stakes, takes the ride on Fravashi. "I was very pleased with the way Fravashi ran on his latest start in Dubai and six furlongs looks to be his best trip at the moment," Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, said. "It's going to be a very tough race to win, with some of the world's top sprinters in action, but he's in good form and I am hoping to see him run a nice race."
Godolphin also has interest in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes; Wajir and Claremont will line up for the one-and-a-half mile race. Wajir, the bin Suroor-trained four-year-old, spent last year racing in France, ending his campaign with a length success in the Group Three Prix de Lutece over 15 furlongs at Longchamp in September. Claremont, trained by Mahmood al Zarooni, also drops down slightly in distance after winning an extended 13-furlong Listed contest at Newbury on May 15 when he overcame fellow Godolphin runner Sabotage by a length.
Dettori takes the ride on Wajir, with Ahmed Ajtebi on board Claremont. "I have been happy with [Wajir's] work and I think that a mile and a half will suit him well," bin Suroor said. "He ran some good races over the same distance in France last season. I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on." Al Zarooni said: "Claremont looks very well at the moment and I am hopeful that he will run a good race in the Hardwicke Stakes."
Godolphin endured a disappointing day at Ascot yesterday. The fancied Anna Salai "ran flat after a hard race in Ireland" according to Dettori after finishing unplaced in the Coronation Stakes. Anna Salai and Al Sharood were 18th and 21st respectively in the Albany Stakes. Buzzword was third in the King Edward VII Stakes.
* Agency
