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| Rowan Anderson |
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Racing returns to Meydan with a seven race card highlighted by the Group Two Balanchine Stakes (Presented by Land Rover) in the Carnival’s eighth meeting.
The feature has produced Group 1 performers in the past and eight smart fillies will aim to continue that tradition in Friday’s race.
Godolphin have won the last five editions and look the team to beat again, with Charlie Appleby preparing With The Moonlight who in winning the Group Two Cape Verdi last start beat five of these rivals last time out.
That was her local debut with the Frankel x Sand Vixen filly having raced and won in Listed and Grade Three company in the UK.
Her main opposition looks to be stablemate Tranquil Lady, who is a new acquisition for the stable, having won a French Group 3 for trainer Joseph O’Brien when last seen in October. This is her local debut and with the services of James Doyle should put herself well into the contest.
“With The Moonlight has come forward since the Cape Verdi and the step back up in distance is going to suit,” said Appleby, who has won this race four times.
“She has a penalty to carry but is clear on ratings and has already won at the track this season. She looks the one they all have to beat.
Of Tranquil Lady, who sold to Godolphin for 2.7million Guineas at Tattersalls in December, he added. “This will be her first start for us, so we are on a slight learning curve, but we are confident that she will run a nice race. We will potentially see her at her best over further and this will be our first opportunity to get a handle on her ahead of the forthcoming season.”
The powerhouse that is Godolphin will also have a strong hand in the Jumeirah Fillies’ Guineas, a new race which is being run over 1600metres on turf. Saeed Bin Suroor’s Mawj has valuable track experience, having just held on over 1400metres in the Jumeirah Fillies’ Classic a month ago. The Exceed and Excel x Modern Ideals filly also has a Group Two victory to her name in Newmarket last June.
“Racing over a mile will be a new experience for her – she has plenty of speed - but we wanted to give her the chance to see if she can stay this trip,” said Bin Suroor. “She worked nicely on Monday and looks ready to go again. It would be very good if she can get the mile, especially with future targets in mind.”
Fairy Cross trained by Charlie Appleby finished 2022 with a win in the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood in August after breaking her maiden two months earlier with a close to five length win.
“Fairy Cross has physically done well out in Dubai,” said Appleby. “This was an opportunity to get a run into her out here and she will definitely come on for the outing. We are hoping that she will have a busy campaign after this, so it’s a day out before heading back to Europe.”
The winner of last year's Jumeirah Derby (Presented by Al Tayer Motors) in Nations Pride has gone on to showcase in Grade 1 glory in the States. This year a field of nine will contest the race with his stablemates One Nation and Highbank joined by Bin Suroor’s Al Khazneh.
“One Nation should enjoy the extra furlong and looks a leading contender,” said Appleby. “He ran a very solid race last time and came out of it in great order. Highbank has produced two sound efforts so far this year and will be interesting over this distance, which should suit based on his pedigree. We feel he can be very competitive as well.”
The opening race is the Al Karama Stakes, a 1400metre dirt three-year-old contest with three interesting prospects in the field.
Bhupat Seemar’s Morning, dropping in grade and distance from the UAE 2000 Guineas, while Ah Jeez, a son of UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn, makes his local debut for California-based trainer Doug O’Neill and Fast-Uno for Julio Olascoaga looks a strong champion in the making for his home of South America.
Racing begins at 6pm.