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| Staff Writer |
The sixth meeting of the 2021 Dubai World Cup Carnival (DWCC) at Meydan on Thursday evening comprises six races, all sponsored by Pillar Partners Gulf News, officially highlighted by the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy but also featuring the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes with all five Thoroughbred contests on the much lauded turf track.
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GROUP 3 $195,000 NAD AL SHEBA TROPHY (2810m T)
Eight have been declared for the official feature, the 2810m turf Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy sponsored by Gulf News, half of the octet set to represent Godolphin including the Charlie Appleby-trained Ispolini, seeking to provide his trainer a fourth consecutive victory in the race.
A 6YO gelded son of Dubawi, he actually won this in 2019, when ridden by Mickael Barzalona, but stable jockey, William Buick, is in the saddle this time for what will be his third carnival start of 2021.
Fellow Godolphin handler, Saeed bin Suroor, seeking a fifth win in the race since it was inaugurated in 2010, saddles three with Frankie Dettori seemingly choosing Volcanic Sky, ahead of Ispolini in both aforementioned handicaps when receiving weight from that rival.
GROUP 3 $130,000 DUBAI MILLENNIUM STAKES (2000m T)
The main support race, the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes sponsored by gulfnews.com has also attracted eight runners, four for Godolphin. Again, Charlie Appleby is seeking a fourth consecutive winner, this time a fifth in six years, and again only has one runner, Star Safari. A 5YO gelding by Sea The Stars, he won a course and distance handicap last February, his only 2020 outing and was third, over the same 2000m on turf, in the Listed Zabeel Turf Handicap, on his return this year. Stepped up to 2410m, he then won a turf handicap three weeks ago, from Nad Al Sheba Trophy hopeful Away He Goes.
Seeking a fourth success in the race, fellow Godolphin handler, Saeed bin Suroor, saddles three with Frankie Dettori aboard the progressive Bedouin’s Story, suggesting he is considered the main hope.
His stable companions, Royal Marine and Dream Castle are both Group One winners, the latter over 1900m on the Meydan turf in the Jebel Hatta, one of three big race victories over that trip at the 2019 carnival.
GROUP 1 165,000 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R3 (PA 2000m D)
The curtain raiser, the final Purebred Arabian contest of the carnival and the natural progression to the Kahayla Classic on the Dubai World Cup card, over the same 2000m on dirt, the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 sponsored by gnfocus, features a rematch of last year’s principals.
Twelve months ago, Bandar landed the spoils under Fernando Jara for Yas Racing and Majed Al Jahoori and will seek to defend his crown without the advantage of a previous outing this season. Last year, on his debut UAE campaign, the homebred 8YO had already run five times, highlighted by a second in the 1900m second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
He was chased home last year by UAE debutant Rb Texas Hold Em, having his first start for Doug Watson who has saddled him thrice this season, without joy.
Jean-Claude Pecout opened his UAE account when Brraq landed the 1600m Gr.1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1. That remains the trainer’s sole local success, but his stable star was a good second in the 1900m second round.
Subsequent Kahayla Classic hero AF Maher won this in 2019 for Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, Ernst Oertel and Tadhg O’Shea who rely on AF Alwajel this year. Tackling a trip beyond 1600m for the first time, he could be a big threat to all.
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