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| Staff Writer |
he fourth meeting of the 2021 Dubai World Cup Carnival (DWCC) at Meydan on Thursday evening, six races sponsored by Pillar Partners Emirates, is highlighted by the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, Gr.2 Al Rashidiya and, the only Purebred Arabian contest, the Gr.2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah.
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Group 2 $293,000 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (1900m D)
Ten have been declared for a fascinating renewal of the 1900m dirt Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 sponsored by Emirates Airline with much interest in British raider Dubai Warrior.
Homebred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the 5YO Dansili entire’s dam, Mahbooba, won the 2011 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas (albeit on the previous Tapeta surface) and 2012 Group 2 Balanchine. Trained by John Gosden, he will be making his dirt debut, seeking a seventh career success, having won six of ten starts to date. Raced just twice on turf, all six victories have been achieved on all-weather surfaces in England, highlighted by the 2020 Group 3 Winter Derby almost a year ago.
Bahraini Fawzi Nass saddles Salute The Soldier, third in that Al Maktoum Challenge R1, pleasing regular pilot Adrie de Vries who said: “He has run well both times this season when in need of the run. It is the first time we have tried him over further than 1600m, but the trip should not be an issue.”
One place in front of De Vries’ mount in the opening round was Doug Watson’s Thegreatcollection, runner-up there having previously landed the course and distance Listed Dubai Creek Mile in January when Nass’ horse was fourth.
Group 2 $163,000 Al Rashidiya (1800mT)
The main support race and best of the turf action, 1800m Gr.2 Al Rashidiya sponsored by emirates.com, has been dominated by Godolphin in recent years, the royal blue silks carried to victory in each of the last four seasons.
That consecutive run of success includes Dream Castle in 2019, then runner-up to stablemate Benbatl last year, both saddled by Saeed bin Suroor. Inaugurated in 2000, no horse has won this prize twice but Bin Suroor will be hoping to remedy that after his charge stayed on strongly to take second, over the same 1800m, in the Gr.2 Singspiel Stakes, a race he also won in 2019 as well as Super Saturday’s Group 1 Jebel Hatta, also over this course and distance.
Group 2 $36,000 Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA 1600m D)
The sole Purebred Arabian race and curtain-raiser, over 1600m on dirt, the Gr.2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah looks a real conundrum for those playing Meydan’s online Pick Six competition.
One thing we do know is that there will be a new name on the trophy with RB Money to Burn, the mount of Tadhg O’Shea for Eric Lemartinel, likely among the main protagonists.
Curated from press release by Dubai Racing Club/ Emirates Racing
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