By Duane Fonseca
Godolphin’s Jumeirah 1000 Guineas heroine Cinderella’s Dream marked her American debut with a stunning near last-to-first course record shattering triumph in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks (1900m) at Aqueduct on Saturday.
Winning with a time of 1m53.42s brought trainer Charlie Appleby, rider William Buick and her owners a first ever success in the race and added a fifth success to her six-race career.
Returned to the racecourse for the first time a little over two months since finishing a dismal seventh in the Group 1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Shamardal filly was settled towards the rear of the nine-horse field at eight, with Buick content to let her apply herself to a pace set by Juddmonte-owned Segesta, trained by Chad C Brown and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
Buick and his mount were happy to race along the rail. However, approaching the far turn, the British Champion Flat Jockey gave his mount a nudge and got her to peel off the barrier after chucking the idea of a ground-saving run out of the window. Forced to take the scenic route to make his bid, Buick found himself seven wide early in the straight and nearly six lengths in arrears as Segesta and race favourite Cherie De Vaux’s She Feels Pretty (John Velazquez) saw eye-to-eye at the front.
However once Buick, who had won the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas at Meydan with Cinderella’s Dream ‘rodeo style’ after ditching his slipped saddle switched his mount into top gear, the pair motored along at full stretch to gobble up ground and the frontrunners and post a three-quarter length success as Segesta managed to keep second by a nose ahead of She Feels Pretty.
Appleby said: “She ran a creditable race in the Guineas (at Newmarket) really, on ground that probably might not have suited her either.
“She’s a filly that stepping up, this trip was always going to suit her as well on pedigree. We were always confident that she was the right filly coming into the race. It was her first start in America and she can only progress.
“It was always our plan to drop Cinderella’s Dream in and ride a race on her. She has shown at home that she can jump and latch on a bit, so we were keen that she did everything the right way round on her first start here.
“The pace was sensible, but it held up, and I was confident off the turn that she would pick up if she got the splits. It was a great ride by William, and I am very pleased that she has got the job done.”
Cinderella’s Dream is expected continue her summer programme in the US with the Grade 2 Saratoga Oaks on August 2 likely to be her next start.
It turned out to be a fine afternoon for Godolphin after Legend Of Time, sent out the favourite for the G1 Belmont Derby after winning the G2 Pennine Ridge Stakes at the same venue in May, finished a close third behind Trikari, with White Palomino lodged in between.
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