The revival of the Gr.2 Zabeel Mile meeting is a grand affair this year with horses representing England, Australia, and South Africa, all competing to win the US$250,000 affair.
Top rated Janoobi leads the way as the defending champion. De Kock said: “We tried Janoobi on the dirt and he did not seem to like it. We know these conditions suit him, so hopefully from his low draw he can bounce back” De Kock said. Interestingly he goes up against Championship who won this race in 2018 and was a solid runner up to Janoobi in 2018 on his return from an injury in 2017.
The 8YO is trained by Ahmad bin Harmash, owned by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum from Abu Dhabi.
“He ran well for a long way in his one start a month ago,” said Connor Beasley, who will once again ride the gelding. “Hopefully that should have put him spot on for this, but it does look a strong race.”
South African Mike de Kock is hoping to make a clean record of five wins for this race with Janoobi repeating his win in the key prep for the US$ 6m Gr.1 Dubai Turf this year again.
Godolphin’s 4YO Prix Francois Boutin winner Mythical Magic is the wild card in this field. He has been group placed in 4 of his eight starts.
Trainer Chris Waller of Winx fame saddles Australian Group One winner Comin’ Through, his only previous UAE runner when seventh in the Al Fahidi Fort. Pat Cosgrave will again be in the irons. Well, known conditioner Simon Crisford saddles classy multiple Group One placed Century Dream, who is having his first start since finishing third to European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on British Champions Day in October.
Mike de Kock’s other charge is the Group One Durban July winning son of Silvano who was a disappointing ninth in the Al Fahidi Fort earlier this year.
“Marinaresco needed that first run, as we knew he would, and we have targeted this race for him.” De Kock said.
Saeed bin Suroor saddles Top Score for Godolphin. While Charlie Appleby saddles Group Three winning & Group One placed Wootton along with the First Contact who was disappointing in the Gr.2 Al Rashidiya Stakes.
The other big event for the evening, the Gr.3 UAE Oaks is headlined by Kodiac filly, Silva. Trained in France by Pia Brandt, she romped to victory in the UAE 1000 Guineas a few weeks ago at Meydan. Her main competitor in this race is Godolphin’s highly regarded 3YO chestnut filly - Divine Image. The Scat Daddy daughter was runner-up behind Silva despite missing the start by multiple lengths and trainer Appleby will hope this contest will be on a more even footing.
Simon Crisford expects improvement from Chelmsford Novice Stakes winner Starry Eyes, a daughter of Animal Kingdom. She will be looking to move forward after a first-time dirt experience three weeks ago in which she ran through the line nicely and likely needed the run. Seeking to return to form is Ismail Mohammed’s filly Al Hayette, who won two Meydan contests by an average of three lengths before her tenth placing in the UAE 1000 Guineas as the co-favorite with Divine Image. Doug Watson has a pair of starters in the well-regarded Razeena, who posted a good second on her debut against Al Hayette, and the Twirling Candy filly, Habah.
The only runner in the field, who did not contest the UAE 1000 Guineas is Dream With You, a dirt debutante saddled by France’s Nicholas Caullery and ridden by Adrie de Vries.
In a very interesting field, the scales are already tipped in favor of Godolphin’s likely win in this US$200,000 affair. Six of the eight runners contesting the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes are representing Godolphin, with Christophe Soumillon opting to partner Racing History from two Saeed bin Suroor-trained contenders. Charlie Appleby saddles four, with stable jockey William Buick aboard First Nation.
First Nation ran out a strong four and a half lengths winner of the Azizi Star handicap five weeks ago, whereas Racing History has not been out of the money in his last two starts, most notably finishing third in the Gr.2 Al Rashidiya and second in the Gr.2 Singspiel behind Dream Castle. A step up in trip by 200m could suit the multiple Group One-placed charge, who owns a Group Three win over this distance. Bin Suroor also saddles Team Talk, who was second in handicap company over this course and distance last out, while Appleby will come loaded with promising new acquisitions Spotify and Vintage, as well as Team Talk’s last-out conqueror Oasis Charm.
For His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Jim Crowley rides the Musabbeh Al Mheiri-trained Muzdawaj. The 6-year-old homebred Dansili gelding arrives on the back of a smooth Meydan success over 1800m three weeks ago but will be facing tougher rivals in this contest.
Ahmad bin Harmash and Connor Beasley combine with Connect, a 4-year-old who will be having just his second UAE outing having finished sixth in a Meydan turf handicap over 1800m a fortnight ago. Owned by Sultan Ali, the Roderic O’Connor colt won three times for previous connections, most recently a 2000m handicap at Epsom on Derby weekend last June.
Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby-trained Gold Town, Nabil Mourad’s Simon Crisford-trained African Ride lead the way, American invader Honorable Treasure and local winners Nine Below Zero and Rodaini all hope to punch their ticket to the Gr.2 Godolphin Mile with the 1400m handicap win.
Multi Group Three winning Forjatt headlines the $135,000 Range Rover Velar over 1600m on turf. He will have tough competition from Gr.3 winner Kronprinz, 2018 Carnival winner Hors de Combat and the Appleby-trained trio of Symbolization, Aurum and Completion.
Click here to watch Zabeel Mile Race 2018
Click here to watch UAE Oaks Race 2018
Click here to watch Dubai Millennium Stakes Race 2018
Click here for Race Card Zabeel Mile 2019
Click here for Race Card UAE Oaks 2019
Click here for Race Card Dubai Millennium Stakes 2019
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com