Most major race meetings around the world have their 'trials day' and Super Saturday at Meydan acts as the perfect prelude to Dubai World Cup night. Hawkbill is one of Godolphin’s truly globe-trotting horses. The Kitten's Joy colt makes his UAE bow after placing second in Gr. 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin over 1m 4f at Hoppegarten in August before filling same position in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine last September. He has not raced since. Stablemate Frontiersman goes head to head with him after placing second to him in the Gr.2 Princess of Wales Stakes last July. At the time Appleby in an interview to SportingLife said of the winner: "I'm delighted with Hawkbill. People thought we were putting him in there as a pace-setter. We knew he would set a decent gallop, but he was in there in his own right.”

 

In 2017 this race was won by Saeed bin Suroor trained-Prize Money last year but he won’t be defending his title. Instead Appleby hopes to retain the trophy within the Godolphin group. Mike De Kock trained Light The Lights is also expected to give tough competition to Hawkbill. 2017 Singapore horse of the year, Gilt Complex also comes into the fray, hoping to win his first title in Dubai. The son of Gold Centre was unplaced in the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes after a hard journey from Australia. However he is expected to have settled in to Dubai flash to the finish first.

 

Hawbill stablemate Elhaame trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Earnshaw trained by Salem bin Ghadayer and Farraaj trained by Selvaratnam are also expected to ride well.

 

See full race card HERE.

 

By: Pallavi Shevade – pallavi.shevade@seretariatsworld.com