The highlight of Friday's Dubai World Cup Carnival card is the G2 Zabeel Mile Presented By Emaar Beachfront. Saeed bin Suroor's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is riding a four-race winning streak since failing to win at the DWCC last term.
One of three in the race for Godolphin, the 5-year-old entire won Royal Ascot's Royal Hunt Cup in June and followed up in a Newbury listed affair a month later. Successful in the G3 Strensall S. versus Meydan Group 1 winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) on Aug. 21, he clawed his way to victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein when last seen on Oct. 2. Frankie Dettori was originally in the irons, but the Italian reinsman is off his mounts with covid, so Danny Tudhope takes his place.
“He's a different horse to the one we saw finishing placed three times last Carnival,” said Bin Suroor, who has won the Zabeel Mile in 2008 and 2012. “He really strengthened up and matured over the summer, progressing from handicaps to group company. He's been off the track since October, but we always planned to start him here, before looking at the Neom Turf Cup or the Saudi Cup. The G1 Jebel Hatta [sponsored by Emirates Airline] on Super Saturday could also be an option.”
Charlie Appleby's Godolphin pair of Zabeel Trophy hero Path Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and 2020 G3 Autumn S. winner One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are also signed on. The former got the job done over course and distance defeating Shadwell's Moqtarreb (GB) (Kingman {GB}) last out on Jan. 7, while the latter ran sixth.
“He [Path of Thunder] kicked off his Carnival by winning a conditions race over a mile, so now he's forced himself into group company,” said Appleby, who has won this race five times already. “He should be competitive in the Zabeel Mile.”
First Classic of the Season
The two-for-two Shahama (Munnings) towers over the six-horse field for the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Presented By Dubai Marina By Emaar. Unveiled going seven furlongs here on Dec. 9, the KHK Racing colourbearer drew off by nine lengths with Doug Watson's Minwah (Cupid) a distant second. Kept at that trip when returned to action on New Year's Day, the half-sister to two-time US champion Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' with another easy win in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial for Fawzi Nass. Little Afrodite (Shackleford) was fourth that day, one better than Minwah. Three-time winner Hot Pink (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) is looking to return to the winner's circle after running fifth in her Meydan debut on Jan. 21.
Super Saturday Pointers
The 1200-metre Listed Dubai Sprint Presented By Dubai Creek Harbour By Emaar features a contentious field and Charlie Appleby sends out the duo of Man Of Promise (Into Mischief), who won this race last year, and Group 3 winner Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
“He missed his intended start a couple of weeks ago after spiking a temperature”, said Appleby of Man Of Promise. “I didn't want to run him at less than 100% as he's a horse we think can be competitive at the Carnival. He's back on song now.”
Shadwell's Mutaraafa (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), fresh off a victory in the Listed Dubai Dash on Jan. 14, two better than Motafaawit (Ire) (Intikhab), is also back for more. There is some Southern Hemisphere flavour with Will Clarken's group-placed Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) fresh off the plane from Australia.
Among the field for the 2000-metre Listed Zabeel Turf Presented By The Valley By Emaar is 2021 G3 Dubai Millennium S. hero Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Fourth in the Sept. 24 Listed Godolphin S. at Newmarket, the 6-year-old gelding was an encouraging second in the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic locally on Jan. 14. Bin Suroor saddles Meydan handicap runner-up Dubai Mirage (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Hisaaki Saito trainee Integrant (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) is also one to watch, as he won the Listed Prix Lyphard at Deauville on Nov. 23.
The 2810-metre Listed Al Hail Trophy Presented By Dubai Hills Estate By Emaar features six horses bearing the royal blue of Godolphin. Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a dual listed winner at Meydan and one of four in the race for Saeed bin Suroor. Fifth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night last year, he returned to take third at Kempton in November and was eighth to Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy. He ran out a 5 1/4-length winner of the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic on Jan. 14. Charlie Appleby's pair of listed-placed Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G2 Queen's Vase hero Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) also take part, with Kemari running second in the G2 Prix Chaudenay in October.
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