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| Staff Writer |
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Racing springs back to life at Meydan Racecourse on Friday evening, marking the commencement of the Dubai Racing Carnival with a compelling seven-race dirt programme.
The US$81,700 Emirates Airline Handicap over 1600 metres takes centre stage, featuring the ever-popular Thegreatcollection, whose remarkable longevity continues to impress. The ten-year-old warrior, one of five victories at the track, secured a memorable triumph here in January.
Previous winners of this traditional carnival opener include Heavy Metal (2018), who went on to land the Gr.2 Godolphin Mile, and Polar River (2016), later successful in the UAE Oaks.
Leading trainer Michael Costa, already notching six seasonal victories, fields a powerful quartet. Stable jockey Ben Coen partners Alhzeem, a dual Jebel Ali winner last term, while Meshtri returns from an eleven-month absence under Australian pilot Jimmy Osman, who has registered four UAE successes during his stint.
The supporting Emirates Airline Handicap over 1200 metres introduces Swindon, formerly with William Haggas, now representing Doug Watson. The handler also prepares Thegreatcollection, speaking fondly of his veteran: "We've had him since he was two. He still has a lot of enthusiasm for the game and we'll be keeping the blinkers off."
The Emirates Holidays Maiden poses intriguing questions, featuring Diamond Dealer, a half-brother to Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic victor White Abarrio. The Bhupat Seemar-trained colt impressed in a two-runner trial, while Costa's La Yetal and Uruguayan import Norato add international flavour.
Uruguayan handler Julio Olascoaga said of Norato: "He arrived 25 days ago and came ready and prepared by the team in Uruguay. He looks great in the mornings, and just had some maintenance work last week to check that everything was in place."
The evening commences at 5:30pm with the Arabian Adventures Handicap for Purebred Arabians over 1400 metres, setting the stage for what promises to be an illuminating carnival opener.