Midnight Sands continues to thrive for Godolphin Mile

The eye-catching ascension of Cool Silk Partnership’s Midnight Sands could lead to a victory on Dubai World Cup day in the $1.5 million Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City—District One (G2), if all goes to plan for the 4-year-old son of Speightstown.

Beginning his career with three consecutive off-the-board finishes in the UK for trainer James Given, including a 14th of 23 astern Calyx in 2018 Royal Ascot’s Coventry (G2), he resurfaced in Dubai with six-time leading trainer Doug Watson in February 2019, finishing second in a 1400m maiden as the heavy favourite. That effort was the last time he was defeated.

After winning four weeks later over 1200m, the half-brother to Tropical Turf Stakes (G3) winner Tusk was given the warm months off before returning a terror for the 2019-2020 UAE season, winning four additional races—three at 1400m and one at 1600m—by a combined 8¼ lengths.

His rating increased from 82 to 108, the latter on the strength of a 3½-length, going-away handicap win over Behavioral Bias and All Out Blitz.

Watson used the same 1400m Dubai World Cup Carnival handicap as a prep for 2016 Godolphin Mile winner One Man Band.

“He’s had a pretty good preparation and just worked at Meydan (Monday) morning, going a half-mile in company,” Watson said. “He’s fit and worked really well. I think he went three furlongs in about 35 seconds and four in 47 under Pat Dobbs.

It was a solid work and he’ll have a nice and easy one next Monday, five days out from the race.

“He has great gate speed and can break and put himself in a good position,” Watson continued. “We just need a decent draw. I would love to be in the middle. We wanted to see him take some kickback, so we did that in the work. I think he deserves should run well and is a horse we really like.”

Watson will also start Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi’s Group 2 winner Kimbear in the 1600m race. It will be the son of Temple City’s third consecutive run in the race, following a sixth in 2018 behind Heavy Metal and fourth last year to Coal Front. While he is entering off a disappointing run in the Burj Nahaar (G3) on Super Saturday—a race he won in 2018—he did have the biggest win of his career at this course and distance in January in the Group 2 $350,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1.

“Kimbear is doing great and was a little close to a fast pace the other day,” Watson said. “He also had a bit of a viral infection coming out, but we treated it and he’s doing well. He’s really fit and while his last couple weren’t great runs, he has excuses for those. He’s running well and he’s really sound this year, which he wasn’t last year. He’s moving well and going the right way.”

One horse who will sadly miss the Godolphin Mile is Satish Seemar-trained North America, who led the ratings of probables until being official withdrawn from consideration earlier this week. The G1-winning son of Dubawi exited a poor effort in the Saudi Cup, one race after tearing the frog of his hoof when third to Kimbear by a head in Al Maktoum Challenge R1.

“He hurt himself in Round 1 and had recovered, but then after the Saudi Cup, we noticed he was sore in the other foot, which makes us think he was favouring while he was hurt,” Seemar said. “We didn’t want to push him and he’s done enough this season. He will get a nice rest and is done for the season.”