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| Rowan Anderson |
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Three continents, two Group Two victories and four other wins from 31 career starts.
I Am Superman, the 7YO gelded son of Footstepsinthesand and Fastnetlady, will be returning following a 125 day break from the track and will be fresh under the hand of trainer Michael O’Callaghan.
Trained in Ireland by Michael O’Callaghan, he has reached winner’s enclosures both there and in Australia. Most recently, he finished second in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield, when in the care of Peter and Paul Snowden.
This will be his first run in the UAE but his trainer is confident of what he is able to achieve this campaign.
“We’re delighted with I Am Superman since arriving in Dubai,” said O’Callaghan. “He’s in really good form ahead of Friday and Colin Keane is over to ride both him and Fastnet Crown.”
He will be one of the highlights of Friday night racing at Meydan on a seven-race card in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile on night three of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
Run over 1600m and worth USD $180,000 the race has attracted a field of eight headlined by I Am Superman (113) but he will have some tough competition from his opponents led by the Charlie Appleby-prepared runner, Master of the Seas.
The 5YO gelded son of Dubawi returns after 283 days away from the track where he was victorious in a Group Three at Newmarket under William Buick.
He looks fresh and he will be ready to lay down a great challenge trained by one of Godolphin’s leading trainers in Appleby who has won the Zabeel Mile on a record five occasions.
With a record that speaks for itself the Dubawi x Firth of Lorne progeny has lined up nine times in his career for four wins that include two Group Threes and a Group Two, and three further placings. He has one previous run at Meydan for a second placing in the Meydan Classic 2021 where he went down to stable mate Naval Crown.
“Master Of The Seas has settled in well in Dubai, but we are very much working back from Dubai World Cup night and Super Saturday,” said Appleby.
Godolphin owns three other starters in the race with the 5YO Modern News prepared by Appleby also and Saeed bin Suroor training the 8YO gelded son of Cape Cross, Desert Fire as well as the 6YO Laser Show.
Saeed Bin Suroor won this race 12 months ago with Real World.
“This looks a tough race for the three of them,” said the trainer. “Desert Fire has won over course and distance, so dropping back to a mile won’t be a problem, while Land Of Legends enjoys racing around Meydan.
“Laser Show has soundness issues which kept him off the track for a long time, but I was pleased with his latest piece of work and he’s ready to go again.”
Irish trainer David O’Meara brings his 7YO Shelir to the UAE with him returning to the track in this one 14 days after a third-place finish in the Group Two Al Fahidi Fort. A handy ride under Daniel Tudhope finishing a short head behind Alfareeq in second. Tudhope has been retained to ride the Dark Angel x Shelina gelding making it the 13th occasion that the Scottish hoop partners with the mount.
Rounding out the field are Erzindjan trained by Ahmad bin Harmash for owner Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi.
The Group Two feature will be the fifth race on the card with the pack jumping from the barriers at 8:20PM on Friday night.