The seventh meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival co-features three top notch Group races – the Gr.2 Meydan Sprint , Gr.2 Balanchine and Gr.3 Firebreak Stakes.
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby will be looking to win this installment of the Group Two feature after landing a second in the last five Meydan Sprint renewals with Jungle Cat (2017, 2016) and Ahtoug (2015, 2014). His top-rated charge Blue Point headlines the event. The 5YO gelded son of Shamardal’s most recent outing was a third in the Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes (2018) at York having won the 1000m Gr.1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot before disappointing in the 1200m July Cup.
“The plan has always been to go to the Al Quoz Sprint via just this race,” Appleby said. “He ran very well in this last year and seems in similar form at home as he was 12 months ago, so hopefully he will run well, but will certainly improve for the run.”
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has two representatives, among the select field of seven. Following a similar path to dual Meydan Sprint winner, Ertijaal, who won the 1000m Turf handicap on opening night three times, Faatinah will bid to post his third Carnival win at the hands of the Australian Hayes’ stable. The owner’s second chance, Mujaafy, is in the capable hands of South African Mike de Kock, seeking a third win in this race, having landed it with Shea Shea in both 2013 and 2014.
Portamento, Rebel Streak and Johann Strauss complete the field. Roussel is a non-runner.
Six fillies and mares have been declared for the Gr.2 Balanchine, again headed by Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby-trained Poetic Charm, who is seeking to become a first winner in the 1800m turf feature for her conditioner.
Although penalised after her easy victory in the 1600m Gr.2 Cape Verdi, William Buick will be in the saddle guiding the half-sister to Teofilo to cross the wire first. “She won the Cape Verdi in style and this was the obvious next target with a month in between ideal,” Appleby said. “She is in good form and should go well, but she does have that penalty over a new trip.”
The 4YO Dubawi homebred filly faces Saeed bin Suroor’s runner-up Asoof and third-placed South American Gr.1 winner Furia Cruzada. Over this extra 200m, the latter, trained by Erwan Charpy, might pose the biggest danger, having finished second last year in a photo-finish to Godolphin’s Promising Run.
Turkish Gr.1 winner Peri Lina should improve in this spot, as the distance is more in her favour.
Danish filly Monza and English mare Mia Tesoro complete the field.
Crowd favourite Sandeep Jadhav trained- Heavy Metal headlines this Group Three feature. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum owned gelding will bid to become the second dual winner of the Gr.3 Firebreak Stakes under jockey Mickael Barzalona.
“He has improved since his seasonal debut and we have the ideal draw, so hopefully he can bounce back after what was a somewhat disappointing effort,” Jadhav remarked.
Jadhav’s charge chased home the Doug Watson-trained Kimbear on Super Saturday in the Gr.3 Burj Nahaar. “Both seem in good shape at home and we know are very capable under these conditions, but it does look a strong race this year,” Watson observed.
Also doubly represented is Satish Seemar, whose team could hardly be in better form. He saddles both Secret Ambition and Behavorial Bias, first and third respectively in the 1600m Jebel Ali Mile (G3) on their most recent appearances. Secret Ambition was second in Kimbear’s aforementioned Burj Nahaar, while Behavioral Bias sports no small amount of back-class when with previous trainer Al Stall Jr. in America. He makes his second start in the UAE.
Gr.2 winner Janoobi and Gr.2-placed Silent Attack complete the field and must prove themselves on the dirt surface.
The inaugural running of theUS$100,000 Meydan Trophy is headlined by Charlie Appleby-trained Art du Val and Mark Johnston’s Victory Command. Bila Shak & Trolius are also well-regarded by their connections.
The Purebred Arabian curtain raiser, the Gr.2 USUS$55,000 Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) has attracted nine runners. Mawahib, trained by Eric Lemartinel for HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may well be the one to beat.
“Both mine are in good form and should be competitive with preference for Mawahib, who should appreciate returning to 1600m in slightly lesser company,” Lemartinel, who also saddles RB Torch, said.
The USUS$135,000 dirt handicap will provide plenty of Carnival intrigue as Turkish three-time Gr.1 winner Good Curry will clash with American sprinter Switzerland, who looks to improve from a subpar local debut in the Gr.3 Al Shindagha Sprint. Touch Gold Racing’s Pop the Hood adds to the depth of the field in his second local start following a solid American career, while Satish Seemar sends out the progressive Lavaspin, who won his last two outings over course and distance.
Walton Street, Astronomer and Zaman look tough to beat in a wide-open finale, a USUS$175,000 handicap over 2410m—a race that could easily produce a starter for Super Saturday. One to watch in this spot is Denmark’s Suspicious Mind, who exits a fine runner-up effort and looks for career win 13 in his 26th start.
Click here to Watch Race Meydan Sprint 2018
Click here to Watch Race Balanchine 2018
Click here to Watch Race Firebreak Stakes 2018
Click here for Meydan Sprint Race Card 2018
Click here for Balanchine Card 2018
Click here for Firebreak Stakes Race Card 2018
Click here for Result Meydan Sprint 2018