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Saeed bin Suroor is anticipating an impressive performance from Real World as the 7YO horse aims to reclaim his title in the upcoming Gr.2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan Racecourse on Friday.
Real World, the winner of the 1600m feature two years ago, will be racing with a tongue tie for the first time. His trainer believes that this addition will improve his performance. Real World is the son of Dark Angel and has shown improvement in his Dubai reappearance in the Gr.2 Al Rashidiya, finishing fifth and putting up a creditable performance against the impressive Measured Time.
“Real World won this contest a couple of years ago and ran two excellent races over a mile in Europe the same season,” 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.”
The Zabeel Mile has proved to be a successful route to international success, with 2023 champion Master Of The Seas winning the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Mile. This year's event has drawn a field of 13 runners, with the prize money increased to AED850,000. One of Real World's rivals in the race is Sean, trained by Jamie Osborne and the only foreign raider in the field. This 7YO gelding, who has previously won a Group three race in Italy, was purchased by Barratt Racing as a global campaigner.
“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 G2 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 local contenders, but the Listed winner will also need to overcome a wide draw once again.
“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 triumphed in the Gr.2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in 2022 under Charlie Fellowes' training, is now making a 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.”
In the upcoming UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, race eight, Costa is optimistic about Ma Yetal's chances to continue his impressive start to the campaign and improve his Classic aspirations. Ma Yetal, the son of Flameaway, is set to make his second career start and will try his luck at 1400m for the first time. His debut win at Jebel Ali three weeks ago, with a margin of nearly 14 lengths, suggests that he has the potential to shine in this race.
“He’s trained on since his win,” said the trainer. “On all work outs at Meydan he’s looked to like the surface.”
Quartier, born in the Southern Hemisphere, holds significant weight in the entire field. He has achieved a flawless record of two wins in his home country of Uruguay.
“Quartier arrived in Dubai just a few weeks ago and has settled in well,” said trainer Julio Olascoaga.
“He faces a good field of winners but we think he’s ready to compete with them.”
Race five of the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, which is set to take place on turf over a distance of 1400m, will see a complete field of 16 participants. Godolphin seems to be in a commanding position with Movie Maker leading their three-horse squad. Movie Maker won by six lengths at Newbury in his last outing. Meanwhile, Lucia Botti will take on the challenge with Drink Dry, who has been placed in two out of three starts so far.
“Drink Dry had a break after his last run,” she says.
“He seems to be fit despite a stop and start preparation, and we were happy with his last piece of work. He needs to find several pounds to be competitive in the race and we know that 1400m is probably on the sharp side, but it will put him spot on for his next run in February.”
The upcoming Gr.3 Dubawi Stakes is set to take place on dirt over a distance of 1200m, and the race has an international feel to it with two foreign runners. One runner from Korea and another one from France will compete against the local participants.
Beolmaui Star, a four-time winner, finished second in the Korea Sprint in his previous outing, while Francis Graffard's Demain, a French raider, aims for his third career victory.
Despite the foreign runners' impressive resumes, the home team will provide formidable competition. Colour Up, the Listed Garhoud Sprint winner, will be competing against Sound Money, who has previously won a Group three race and has been transferred from Bhupat Seemar to Watson.
“Both Sound Money and Colour Up are in really good shape,” said Watson.
“The draws are good for both of them; they’re horses who don’t need to go to the lead; they can settle off it. Colour Up has to step up a bit, with Mouheeb and Tuz and Sound Money in there, so it will be interesting to see how he goes.
“I’m really happy with Sound Money and looking forward to getting him started.”
Costa will be entering Mouheeb, the winner of the 2021 Gr.3 UAE 2000 Guineas, in the upcoming race. Mouheeb was last seen competing in the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and his ultimate goal is to perform well in the Dubai World Cup night once again.
“He’s had a kind first half of season with the aim of heading towards 1600m later on,” said the trainer.
“He’s a much more relaxed horse this year.”