Sent postward at odds just greater than 2-1, Godolphin’s Kirklees was victorious in his first start following a four race winter campaign in Dubai which included a handicap win on the sixth night of the Dubai International Racing Carnival and a placing in the Al Rashidiya (G3) behind Silver Mist.
Friday’s start in Sandown’s Helical Bar Gala Stakes (Listed) was the first in 97 days for the Saeed bin Suroor trainee, emerging from a listless tenth in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) behind Eastern Anthem. Kirklees handily defeated stable companion Covert Ambition who was second while Carnival winner Halicarnassus was a well-beaten fifth. A son of Jade Robbery, Kirklees hold an entry in the prestigious Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot on July 25.
