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| Staff Writer |
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The 2024 Dubai Racing Carnival may now be a cherished memory, but several of its contenders are set to grab the spotlight this weekend at the Belmont Stakes festival in America. This year, the event will take place at Saratoga Racetrack in upstate New York, featuring six Grade One races on Saturday alone.
The excitement for Dubai racing enthusiasts begins on Thursday with Siskany defending the Gr.2 Belmont Gold Cup. Siskany, the winner of the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy and a fourth-place finisher in the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup, will be looking to secure another victory in the two-mile turf contest. Trained by Charlie Appleby, the 6YO is aiming for a repeat win, with the added incentive of earning a 'Golden Ticket' entry to the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November.
Earlier on Thursday's card, we'll see the belated US debut of Manama Gold, who has an unbeaten record in three starts, all at Meydan, including the Gr.3 UAE Oaks. Now under the tutelage of Todd Pletcher for owners Victorious, the daughter of Star Guitar skipped the Kentucky Oaks and is set to compete in the Jersey Girl Stakes, with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the saddle.
On Friday, Gr.2 Balanchine winner English Rose will face 12 rivals in the G1 New York Stakes. The Frankel filly, who finished second in the Gr.1 Jenny Wiley in her last outing, will take on multiple Gr.1 winner War Like Goddess in the 1900-meter contest.
The action on Saturday will feature Godolphin globetrotter Nations Pride, who will compete against stablemate Measured Time in the Gr.1 Manhattan Stakes. Nations Pride, a three-time top-level winner including at Saratoga, will be ridden by Frankie Dettori. Chris Connett, who has been overseeing the gelding’s progress in New York, gave an upbeat bulletin.
"He has been off the track for a long time before his last start at Aqueduct and he's come forward from that fitness-wise,” he said. “Hopefully, we can keep the freshness out of him. He's matured and filled out. He's not a massive horse, but he's quality and has proved that he can handle the track.”
Of William Buick’s mount Measured Time, winner of the G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan, he added: "His (work) rider Michael Metcalf has been happy with him since he settled in and the horse has taken in his surroundings very well. I think good, safe ground is what we prefer.”
The Gr.1 Jaipur Stakes will feature a clash between Carnival winners Star Of Mystery and Mischief Magic over 1100 meters on Turf. Star Of Mystery, a two-time Carnival winner, finished second in the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint and will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Meanwhile, Mischief Magic, the Listed Dubai Sprint winner, will be guided by Buick.
Bendoog, who finished sixth in the 2023 Dubai World Cup, is back in Dubai to compete in the Suburban Stakes over 2000 meters. The 5YO owned by Mohammed Khaleel Ahmed, has won his last two starts in the US under the training of Bill Mott. He will face seven rivals, including Crupi, who finished tenth in the Dubai World Cup.
Casa Creed, an 8YO trained by Bill Mott, will also be part of the Suburban Stakes. Casa Creed finished sixth in the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint. His rivals include Mysterious Night, the Gr.2 Al Fahidi Fort winner trained by Appleby. Mysterious Night, who took a break after running in Riyadh, will be a strong contender if he regains his top form, which previously led to his victory in the Gr.1 Summer Stakes in Canada as a juvenile.