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Starlust's connections are optimistic about their chances in this Friday's Meydan feature, the Dubai Trophy. They believe their talented 3YO has what it takes to make a big impression in the race. Trained by Ralph Beckett, Starlust is one of six UK contenders in the 1200-metre turf dash that was won last year by the George Boughey-trained Al Dasim.
Starlust arrives at Dubai's iconic racecourse after his impressive UAE debut, where he finished runner-up to subsequent Gr.2 winner Star Of Mystery in the Al Wasl Stakes. Alex Cole, Racing Manager to owner Fitri Hay, is confident that Starlust is in excellent form and ready to perform well.
Cole said, “We’re expecting a really big run. This has been his target and he’s in great form. He’s yet to let us down in his nine starts to date.”
Frost At Dawn, who has been working hard, is set to make her fourth appearance at the Carnival. She will return to the track just a week after finishing third in the Jumeriah Fillies' Classic.
“It’s a bit aggressive running her back a week later, but she’s obviously been showing quite a lot of speed in her races so it was an opportunity to drop her back to 1200metres against three-year-olds,” said trainer William Knight.
“It will be interesting to see how she gets on over a flat six furlongs and I think she could run a really big race.”
Starlust's previous competitors, Seven Questions, Great Truth, Myconian, Salvuccio, and Zoulu Chief, are all ready to race against him again. Charlie Appleby, the trainer of Great Truth, is confident that his colt will perform better this time and finish closer to the top.
“Great Truth has definitely come forward since his run in the Al Wasl Stakes and we are applying a tongue-tie this time,” said the Godolphin handler.
“His work has been good and, if he translates his improvement at home to the track, he should be very competitive.”
The Vazirabad Handicap, a 2410m turf race named after the legendary three-time Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup winner, is the featured supporting race on Friday's card. Eight runners, including Bhupat Seemar's Webinar, a previous winner over course and distance a month ago, will be competing for the AED300,000.