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| Rowan Anderson |
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Bupat Seemar is ready to take the Al Maktoum Challenge Round One armed with six hopes on Friday night.
If the Dubai World Cup is the Grand Final for the stars of the track in the UAE, then the Al Maktoum Challenge is the first of three races which serves as a trial for the DWC.
Seemar is yet to win the race but his uncle six-time UAE champion trainer Satish Seemar prepared winner North America in 2019.
Nephew Bhupat took over training responsibilities last year and will look to add the Al Maktoum to his resume after being named champion trainer in his first season in Dubai for Zabeel Racing.
The top hope for the stable is the 10YO Secret Ambition sired by Australian multiple Group One winner Exceed and Excel.
Secret Ambition will return from a 286-day break from the races after finishing 11th in the Godolphin Mile. However, his record speaks for itself having won the Group 2 Godolphin Mile by a massive six lengths, the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes by four lengths and second place finishes in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile and Dubai Creek Mile, all in the 2021 season.
Talented hoop Tadhg O’Shea was onboard for all of these achievements, and its very unlikely the partnership does not continue this Friday night.
Out to try and stop Seemar’s plan for Secret Ambition coming to fruition will be the top-rated runner (112) in Desert Wisdom.
A 5YO gelded son of Dubawi prepared by Ahmed Al Shemaili his last two starts have been a win in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar and a second-place finish in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.
Al Shemaili will have him ready to go for the USD $250,000 Group Al Maktoum Challenge Round One.
Trainers Doug Watson (5) and Salem bin Ghadayer will also have multiple runners in the 1600 metre contest.
For trainer Watson Midnight Sands will be a top hope having won the Group 3 Burj Naharr in 2021 following the form lines of Desert Wisdom who took honours in that race last season.
He is a 7YO who has not raced in 354 days but will be sure to be prepared to challenge most of this field.
For bin Ghadayer he will be sure to be happy with his 6YO Down on the Bayou, with the mare coming off a win in a conditions race five days prior at Jebel Ali.
She is not one to be ignored, having won the UAE Oaks by nearly 19 lengths two seasons ago and looking just as fresh in her run last week.
Owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum she will be one with a lot of attention come gates open on Friday night at Meydan.