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| Rowan Anderson |
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Meydan Racecourse hosts the seventh fixture of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival tonight with a seven race card highlighted by the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, a 2810m turf contest in which Godolphin are seeking a tenth overall and seventh consecutive success.
Charlie Appleby has saddled four of the five most winners and has a pair of hopes here with William Buick opting to partner Siskany, a course and distance winner in the Listed Al Khail Trophy on his only previous UAE appearance at the end of January last year.
He was ridden by James Doyle on that occasion who for this race is aboard stable mate Kemari.
“Siskany looks great and will be a player if he brings his best form to the table. He has won over the course and trip, so he looks the one they have to beat,” Appleby said.
“Kemari will also be competitive if he can rekindle some of his old form. He ran some solid races last year but can be a little inconsistent these days.”
Seeking a fifth success in the race, Saeed bin Suroor also saddles two runners for Godolphin, including Global Heat who won the 2023 Al Khail Trophy a month ago under Pat Cosgrave, the hoop retained for this ride.
Louis Steward partners the trainer’s second runner, Brilliant Light, making a quick return having been well beaten, under Cosgrave, in a 2000m turf handicap just last week.
“Global Heat won over this trip in the Al Khail Trophy and came out of his recent handicap run in good order. He stays well and I’m hoping for another good effort,” Saeed bin Suroor said.
“Brilliant Light worked well last week and has some good form over this distance. He is ready to go again and will appreciate the step up in trip.”
Away from the powerhouse team representatives there are a couple who could quite easily serve up a challenge.
Ardakan for Marco Botti is a very consistent type and will be looking to build on his Meydan debut that saw him finish third under James Doyle on that occasion, Ben Coen takes over riding duties here.
Bhupat Seemar trains the cult favourite mare Wickywickywheels who won in Listed class in December. Richard Mullen gets the ride here still riding the wave after taking out his first win for Seemar in the Listed The President Cup overnight.
The main dirt contest, over 1900m, is the Group 3 UAE Oaks for which a seven race field will travel the trip.
Top hope will be UAE 1000 Guineas heroine Mimi Kakushi who should make a bold bid to complete the fillies’ Classic double and make it three wins on the bounce. Mickael Barzalona has been retained for the ride from those wins.
The top rated Ami Please trained by Doug O’Neill with Antonio Fresu onboard will be the expected danger. Coming off a third placing last December this will be her first start in the UAE after five starts in the US (1-1-1).
O’Neill last week got local debutant Tall Boy home winning the UAE 2000 Guineas.
The penultimate race for the card is the Group Three Dubai Millennium Stakes on turf over 2000m.
The contest has been dominated by Godolphin runners since it inaugurated in 2011, the global powerhouse racing team taking victory here ten from twelve years.
Looking for a sixth consecutive win is Charlie Appleby who saddles both Nations Pride, with Buick, and Ottoman Fleet who has partnership of James Doyle.
“Nations Pride has been pleasing us at home and coming back to a mile and a quarter should suit. There will be some improvement to come for whatever he does on his seasonal return, as we hope that he has another international campaign ahead of him this year. Depending on how he goes here, we will consider potentially looking at the Jebel Hatta or the Dubai Turf,” Appleby said.
“Returning to this distance looks as though it might benefit Ottoman Fleet based on his two runs so far this year. He goes into the race a fit horse with solid form, so he should be a major player along with Nations Pride.”