Benbatl and Master Of The Seas locked horned in a strange renewal of the Unibet “You’re On” Joel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
The duo is known to be owned by Godolphin yet they stand for different stables, as Charlie Appleby is training Master Of The Seas while Saeed bin Suroor took up the training mantle for Benbatl.
Both are from two different generations, with Benbatl, who is famously known across the world, belonging to the older generation, while Master Of the Seas has not been seen since finishing as runner-up in the 2000 Guineas to Poetic Flare.
After being gone for almost a year, Benbatl, who was named in the NAP for today, returned from seclusion only to be beaten in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and he will be expected to come on for the run.
Speaking to the media, Bin Suroor said: “He has done well since his last race and he’s in good form. He ran a big race in the Celebration Mile after missing the break from the stalls.
“This has been his target since Goodwood and his last piece of work was very good. It’s going to be a good race, but we are looking to see a big run from him.”
Appleby, on the other hand, is out there hoping to claim another big prize having won the Derby and King George with Adayar, Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger with Hurrican Lane, along with several valuable prizes in North America last week.
Appleby will be expecting him to come forward for the run, as there are bigger prizes at stake.
Speaking to Godolphin official website, Appleby said: “Master Of The Seas was unfortunate to meet with a setback after the 2,000 Guineas but his preparation into this has gone well and we are very pleased with him.
“There will be improvement to come on whatever he does here as we have an eye on the Breeders’ Cup or Champions Day afterwards.”
Andrew Balding, on the other hand, ran an impressive new recruit in Queen Supreme. Back in South Africa, she was known as a top-class mare having won at the highest level there, but her Uk debut proved to be difficult for her as she went against Benbatl and Master Of The Seas.
Ryan Moore, who was her jockey for the debut, said to the media: “This is her first run since January, but she was a Grade One winner in South Africa when trained by Mike De Kock.
“She would have had a tough trip over here and would have had to spend time in quarantine. She’s running against two very good horses in Master Of The Seas and Benbatl so it’s a tough ask, but we’ll see how she goes.”
Benbatl’s battle didn’t end there, however, as he achieved success in the Unibet “You’re On” Joel Stakes at Newmarket. This is his first success since claiming a victory for Meydan Group Two in February. After winning the race for a second time after claiming a victory in 2019, Benbatl is now 10-1 from 16s for next month’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot with Paddy Power.