Victory Moon Throws Monkey Wrench Into Godolphin's Derby Plans
By: John Gaver III

(Mar. 30, 2003) - South African-bred Victory Moon (SAf) earned redemption for his six-length loss to Godolphin Racing Inc.'s Inamorato in the Al Bastikiya Stakes on Mar. 8, when the 4-year-old Southern Hemisphere-bred son of Al Mufti, outfinished Godolphin's Songlark in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby (Gr. II) by a half-length at Nad al Sheba Race Course in Dubai on Saturday, Mar. 29.

Favored Inamorato, who was the victim of a troubled trip, was another 2 ¾ lengths back in third and Southern California invader Outta Here was a brave fourth, staying on gamely in the stretch despite pressing the early pace in the mile and a quarter test.

Bourbonnais (Ire), Seattle Fitz (Arg), Lundy's Lane, Baccarat, Hard Buck (Brz), Parhelion (Ger), Tangeriano (Arg), Rahaf (Ire), Peasant and Anasheed rounded out the official order of finish. Byzantium (Brz) was a late scratch.

Victory Moon (SAf), who was ridden by Wayne Smith, ran a mile and a quarter over a "fast" surface in 2:02.45 and kicked off a huge evening for South African-based trainer Michael de Kock, who also saddled Dubai Duty Free Stakes winner Ipi Tombe on the Dubai World Cup card.

The touted Inamorato was reserved the race's early stages but when his jockey, Frankie Dettori, asked him for run over a furlong and a half from the finish while saving-ground on the inside, tiring horses in front him were retreating.

Dettori then swung wide and once Inamorato had clear passage, the 3-year-old colt ran on but failed to make up any significant ground on his stable companion Songlark, who was two and three quarter lengths ahead at the finish, and the victorious Victory Moon (SAf).

"I had to stop and start three times," said Dettori after the race. "On the dirt, it is impossible to do that and recover.

"The bad horses in front of me faded and I just had nowhere to go," Dettori continued. "Eight horses in front me just died together. It is one of those things - at least we have learnt something."

Inamorato will be shipped to the U.S. and a decision will be made at a later stage about whether he will run in the Kentucky Derby (GI) on May 3. His stablemate, Songlark, who was a game second, is also under consideration for the Derby.

"It was disappointing," said Inamorato's trainer, Saeed bin Suroor. "He should have won but he was unlucky. I still believe that Inamorato has the class to win big races.

"We will take him to America now and maybe will run him in the Kentucky Derby. We have to see how he comes out of this race."

4-year-old Victory Moon (SAf) was bred in the Southern Hemisphere of South Africa and was eligible for the UAE Derby, but isn't eligible to run in the Kentucky Derby.

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