Sadeek's Song

Sadeek’s Song faced a tough task on his handicap debut at York on Saturday, in a Class 2 0-100 three-year-old handicap over just short of nine furlongs off a mark of 90. He acquitted himself well though in finishing third to the consistent and under-rated Oceanway. The Godolphin horse's mark of 90 was awarded on the back of winning a Nottingham maiden by five lengths on his previous run, just the second run of his life. That mark looked quite harsh, the Nottingham race had probably fallen apart in front of him a bit, they went a strong gallop for a maiden race and he came through late on to outstay his rivals comfortably, having been a long way back at the top of the home straight. He took another step forward on Saturday though, on what was his third run in just three and a half weeks, to prove that this mark of 90 is not beyond him.

It is significant that he was weak in the market in the lead up to the race. He shared favouritism early in the morning but he drifted right out to an SP of 7/1, only fourth best in the market. Held up out the back off a slow pace, he made nice ground up the near side all the way up the home straight to finish third, just a head behind Weapon Of Choice for the runner-up spot, which was a more than commendable performance, especially given that he looked green when Ahmed Ajtebi went for his whip.

Interestingly, the son of Kingmambo was carrying the third colours of Godolphin here. Even though the other two Godolphin runners came from the Saeed Bin Suroor stable, while Sadeek’s Song represented Mahmood Al Zarooni, that, together with his weakness in the market, suggests he might not have been impressing at home.

He is from a very good family, and one that suggests he will not be seen at his best until stepped up in trip again. His dam won a Group 3 race over 10 furlongs, and is a sister to the top-class Islington and to Greek Dance, a German 10-furlong Group 1 winner. She is also a half-sister to Mountain High who won a Group 1 race over 12 furlongs, and she is out of Hellenic who won the Ribblesdale Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks, as well as finishing a close second in the 1990 St Leger. Sadeek’s Song is a potentially smart prospect over middle distances next season.

8th October 2011

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