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| Staff Writer |
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The internationals could have an even stronger Carnival if Group Three winner Starlust participates in Friday's Al Wasl Stakes, a turf race over 1200 meters.
Last season, the progeny of Zoustar, trained by Ralph Beckett for the owners Jim and Fitri Hay, achieved three victories and concluded the year with a commendable second position in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint that took place at Santa Anita.
“It’s very much his first run of the year but he has done plenty at home,” said Alex Cole, Racing Manager to the Hays. “The draw [13] isn’t great but he is the class horse and should run well.”
Thunder Blue, trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis, is another contender with impressive credentials in Group races. Although this will be the colt's second appearance in Dubai, it is his first since 2017. Thunder Blue showed promise with a fourth-place finish in the Gr.2 July Stakes at Newmarket. In November, he further demonstrated his form with a second-place finish on the All Weather.
“Thunder Blue has thrived since arriving in Dubai. He’s settled in quickly and done everything we asked of him,” said Ffrench Davis. “I think it’s a tough race but he’ll run a big one and we think he’s better than his rating.”
Trainer Heather Main is hopeful of a strong performance from the UK raiding party, which is further bolstered by the addition of Zoulu Chief.
“Zoulu Chief has settled in well and we think the track will suit him,” said Main, who has engaged Pat Dobbs to ride the three-time UK winner.
Having already tasted success at the Carnival with Ponntos, the Czech Republic is eyeing another victory with four-time winner Zorken under the guidance of trainer Ingrid Koplikova. The horse has had a successful run in his latest race at Deauville in October, and this marks the second Dubai appearance for the trainer, following Josephino's run last year.
“It won’t be easy,” said Koplikova, a former jockey. “He’s running at Meydan for the first time, so we hope for the best result.”
Salem Bin Ghadayer's 7YO Gr.1 winner, Hypothetical, is set to participate in the AED300,000 Lord North Handicap, covering a distance of 1800 meters, in a rare appearance on turf. Having won the Gr.1 Maktoum Challenge R3 in 2022, the horse will be running on grass for the first time since departing from the UK in 2020.
“We tried to find a suitable dirt race before the Maktoum Challenge or Firebreak Stakes in two weeks’ time, but this was our only option,” explained Bin Ghadayer of the surface switch. “He needs a run before his main goal, but if we could choose, he’d be running on dirt.
“He ran well on the turf for John Gosden so he shouldn’t have a problem.”
The race will also see Good Fortune, who won a race on a rainy day at the Carnival last season, competing against Hypothetical. The Danish-based trainer Soren Jensen will be fielding Good Fortune. Additionally, there are five Godolphin runners in the race, including Majestic Pride, who won two out of five starts for Charlie Appleby, and Laser Show, who won at Meydan in 2020 when trained by Saeed Bin Suroor.
Silent Film, a winner at the Carnival in 2022 for Appleby, will also be competing in the race. Silent Film was recently purchased by Fitri Hay and won his last race in Hungary under the guidance of Ian Williams, having been based in the UK.
“Silent Film is fit and well has a good draw and should go well,” said Cole, representing the owners.
Race six is the AED210,000 Dubai Islands Handicap, covering 2000 meters on dirt. The race has an international feel to it with the presence of a Korean runner and two Russian imports. Simjangui Godong, a seasoned winner of 11 races in Korea, is making his debut here under the training of Seung Tae Shim. Meanwhile, Doug Watson has brought Hero Mo and Kabirkhan to his Red Stables, both of whom have an impressive record of winning eight out of nine races in Russia.
“They’re both very nice horses,” said Watson. “You don’t know what to expect when they arrive but they’re both big and strong-looking and have been over to Meydan a couple of times. They both work like they’re very nice horses, so it will be interesting to see how they stack up against the locals.
“They’re different from each other. Kabirkhan looks a lot like his father [California Chrome]; he’s a big chestnut horse, and Hero Mo, I think, will light up at the races. Pat [Dobbs, jockey] has picked Kabirkhan as his works have been really good, but neither of them has done much wrong in Russia; we just have to see how that correlates to here.”
Bin Ghadayer will be sending out Book Review, a four-time course winner who is looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance. In his most recent run in December, he finished eighth out of eight runners and had some issues with scoping afterwards.
“Book Review now has a 100 rating, having come from 70,” said the trainer. “This is his trip and I hope to see him in his best form.”
Race four, the Palm Beach Towers Handicap, covering 1400 meters on dirt, is expected to be a highly competitive event. Bin Ghadayer's entry, Meshakel, has won twice on this course in the past, but he will be seeking his first victory since 2021.
“The seven furlongs [1400metres] at Meydan is his favourite course and distance,” he said. “He’s dropped in his rating so we hope he’s still got the spark.”
Morning, a recent winner on this course, will be among the eight competitors challenging Meshakel in the Palm Beach Towers Handicap. Additionally, Kal Barg, who won his last race at Jebel Ali and is trained by the season's leading trainer Michael Costa, will also be competing in the race.
The nine-race card, sponsored by Nakheel, will commence at 5:30 pm with the Palm Jumeirah Handicap, a 1000-meter turf sprint. Many A Star, a five-time winner, will be the only international runner in the race, having recently moved from Paul and Oliver Cole to Jamie Osborne's stable.