 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Real World is aiming to win the Gr.2 Zabeel Mile for a second time as the Dubai Racing Carnival continues at Meydan, UAE, on 5th January 2024.
The turf feature two years ago saw the son of Dark Angel complete an impressive five-timer, adding to his victories at Royal Ascot, Newbury, York, and the G.2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein in France.
After his victory, Real World went on to participate in two major mile contests worldwide in 2022, finishing second to Baaeed in both the Lockinge Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes.
Real World, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, returned after a break in November to take fourth place in the Gr.2 Bahrain International Trophy. Despite finishing fifth behind Measured Time in the Gr.2 Al Rashidiya at Meydan's Festive Friday fixture on December 22, he is back in action quickly.
Saeed bin Suroor said, "Real World won this contest a couple of years ago and ran two excellent races over a mile in Europe the same season. He has been running over further since but should appreciate the drop back in trip. It looks as though he has improved for his run in the Al Rashidiya, and I'm hoping for a good run."
Passion And Glory, a carnival veteran, begins his campaign for Saeed bin Suroor in the evening's 10-furlong turf handicap. The son of Cape Cross, now 8YO, enjoyed significant success last year by comfortably taking a Listed race in Bahrain.
Local Dynasty, a 4YO, lines up for Charlie Appleby in the same race, having run well in major handicaps at Royal Ascot and Newmarket's July Festival over the summer.
City Walk and Open Mind fought out the finish in a six-furlong turf handicap at last year's Carnival, separated only by a neck. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained duo will reoppose over the same course and distance.
Movie Maker, an impressive winner at Newbury, leads a trio of 3YOs in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, hoping to further their Classic claims. His trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, also runs Soldier's Secret, while Legend Of Time, who finished fifth in the Gr.3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket in September, is Charlie Appleby's hope.
First View, a 7YO trained by Saeed bin Suroor, has yet to show his true potential in six Meydan appearances, and he will be hoping for a change of fortune in the mile handicap on the turf. He has posted four wins in the UK, including a valuable all-weather handicap in 2022.
On Friday, Meydan Racecourse will host a thrilling night of Dubai Racing Carnival action as runners from five different countries compete against each other. The feature of the day will be the Gr.2 Zabeel Mile, which has previously paved the way towards international recognition as was the case with 2023 winner Master Of The Seas, who went on to win the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. This year, the race has an increased prize amount of AED850,000, attracting a field of 13 talented runners, including Real World, who emerged victorious in the same race last year.
“Real World won this contest a couple of years ago and ran two excellent races over a mile in Europe the same season,” trainer Saeed Bin Suroor told godolphin.com. “He has been running over further since but should appreciate the drop back in trip. It looks as though he has improved for his run in the Al Rashidiya.”
Among Real World's competitors is Sean, trained by Jamie Osborne and the sole overseas contender. This 7YO horse, who won a Group Three race in Italy, has been acquired by Barratt Racing with the intention of turning him into a global competitor.
“It’s his first run for us so this is a bit of a fact-finding mission,” said Osborne, whose multiple Dubai successes include Toast Of New York in the Gr.2 UAE Derby. “It’s possible he will need further on this track.
“Barratt Racing is all about taking horses to nice places for the fun of it. We felt Sean was a horse that could compete at Meydan and potentially then move on to Royal Ascot, Goodwood etc.”
San Donato is one of the top contenders from the local scene, but it will have to overcome a wide draw once again, even though it has already won at the Listed level.
“San Donato has drawn 13, 14, 15, 13 and 13 the last five times he’s been declared,” said trainer Doug Watson. “It’s a bit tough from out there but it’s a great race for him, albeit Real World is in there and Marbaan for Michael Costa.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he finishes. Hopefully he can get some nice splits from off the pace.”
Marbaan, who previously rode for Charlie Fellowes in the UK and emerged victorious in the Gr.2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in 2022, has now made the move to Costa.
“The original plan was to start over seven furlongs [1400m] a little later in month,” said the UAE's current leading trainer. “But when the nominations came up the way they did we entered. Marbaan will come on from the run, making it a nice starting point.
The Gr.3 Dubawi Stakes features a diverse field with one runner from Korea and one from France competing against the local horses. Four-time winner Beolmaui Star and French raider Demain will face tough competition from the home team, including Listed Garhoud Sprint winner Colour Up and Sound Money, who has moved to Watson from Bhupat Seemar. Trainer Watson is confident about his horses and expects a good show from them.
Costa's 2021 Gr.3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mouheeb, who last competed in the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, is set to compete again in the Dubai World Cup night. Trainer Costa is happy with Mouheeb's progress and is looking forward to his performance. Costa is also optimistic about Ma Yetal's chances in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, as the horse has trained well and looked good on the Meydan surface.
Uruguayan horse Quartier has won two races in his native country and is now set to compete in Dubai, where he will be conceding weight to the entire field. Trainer Julio Olascoaga is confident that Quartier is ready for the competition and is optimistic about his chances.
Bahrain-based Goemon is a rare contender from Bahrain in Dubai and will be competing in the Zabeel Turf. The 5YO, owned by sports car collector Mohammed Khalid Abdul Rahim, was a strong sixth in the Gr.2 Al Rashidiya last time out. Trainer Haider Shaheen's son and assistant, Mohammed Haider Ebrahim, is happy with Goemon's progress and is optimistic about his future plans.
The 1200-metre turf handicap is set to be a fascinating race with Batwan, City Walk, and Open Mind, all previous course winners, competing against Costa's three-time UK winner Yonafis. Costa is optimistic about Yonafis's chances and is looking to keep him to sprint trips this year.
The Jumeirah Guineas Trial, a 1400-metre turf race, has a full field of 16 contestants. Godolphin's Movie Maker, a six-length winner at Newbury, leads the charge, while Lucia Botti takes on the challenge with Drink Dry, who has been placed on two of his three starts to date. Botti is confident about Drink Dry's fitness and expects him to perform well.
Botti also runs Royal Dubai in the closing 1600-metre handicap. The 4YO won on debut on dirt in Dubai and on the all-weather in the UK, but will be trying his luck on turf this time. Botti is happy with Royal Dubai's progress and is hoping for a good show from him.