Cinderella’s Dream realises G1 hopes with Belmont Oaks victory
Racenews
8 July, 2024
Cinderella’s Dream made a remarkable US debut at Aqueduct on Saturday as she stormed home from the rear to win the G1 Belmont Oaks, lowering the course record in the process.
The daughter of Shamardal was taking her career record to five wins from six starts, with her only defeat coming when seventh in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.
Like last year’s 1,000 Guineas heroine Mawj, Cinderella’s Dream came through the recently introduced programme for three-year-old fillies at Meydan, winning both the Jumeirah Fillies Classic and Listed Jumeirah 1,000 Guineas.
Cinderella’s Dream is due to remain in North America for the summer, with the G2 Saratoga Oaks in early August set to be her next target.
Fellow three-year-old Legend Of Time has Saratoga on his agenda as well, with the G1 Saratoga Derby in his sights following an unlucky-in-running third in the G1 Belmont Derby on the same Aqueduct card.
Loved, a half-sister to Maxfield, gained valuable Black Type when taking the Mari Hulman George Memorial Handicap in Indiana, while Tamerlane notched his second Listed win in Australia with a game success in the Winter Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Several strong juvenile performances last week included First Resort scoring decisively on his debut at Ellis Park. In the UK, Anno Domini and Cavallo Bay both defied a penalty with victories at Sandown Park and Haydock Park respectively.
Newmarket’s July Festival has proven a happy hunting ground for Godolphin over the years and the royal blue squad for this year’s meeting may include G1 winner Ancient Wisdom, who could test his St Leger credentials in Thursday’s G3 Bahrain Trophy.
Debut winner Aomori City holds an entry in the G2 July Stakes, while the unbeaten Ancient Truth is set to tackle the G2 Superlative Stakes – a race that has been a launchpad for Dubawi, Native Trail and Master Of The Seas.
Star Of Mystery finished second in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at last year’s July Festival and has enjoyed an exceptional 2024 sprinting in Dubai and the United States. She returns to her own sex and age for Friday’s Coronation Cup at Saratoga.
Mysterious Night is also in action at Saratoga this weekend, with the G3 Poker Stakes runner-up making a second straight appearance at the New York course in the G3 Kelso Stakes.
