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| Sumita Pawar |
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Meydan Racecourse is set to host a fantastic Friday card with the Gr.2 Singspiel Stakes being the highlight of five Pattern races. This 1800-meter event, which is a preparation for the Gr.1 Dubai Turf over the same course and distance, was won by Valiant Prince last year.
Charlie Appleby, his trainer, has three horses running this year. William Buick, the stable jockey, has chosen Ottoman Fleet, who came second to Measured Time, another stablemate, in the Gr.1 Jebel Hatta last time out. Richie Mullen will be riding front runner Highland Avenue while Mickael Barzalona will be on Naval Power, the winner of the 2023 Jumeirah Classic.
“Ottoman Fleet probably brings the most consistent form over the course and distance into what looks a competitive race,” said Appleby. “It was always the plan to come here following a strong run in the Jebel Hatta.”
“Naval Power had a few minor setbacks last year but has been training well. This looks a nice starting point to see where we are before taking him back to Europe.
“Highland Avenue has a bit to find with Ottoman Fleet from the Jebel Hatta and Al Rashidiya but he is an honest performer and I am sure he will run his usual race.”
Thanks to Ouzo's double victories, British trainer Jamie Osborne is already having a remarkable Carnival. Now, he is looking forward to Sean's run in the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, where Sean came in a close second to Warren Point just three weeks ago.
“Sean has thrived during his stay in Dubai,” said Osborne. “I’m full of hope that we haven’t yet seen the best of him. It’s a very tough race and it will require a lifetime best, but I don’t think it’s impossible we will see one on Friday.”
Lucia Botti, another British trainer, has also tasted success lately with her horse Royal Dubai, who won a handicap race just two weeks ago.
Lucia Botti, a British trainer who has recently tasted success, is entering her horse Royal Dubai in the upcoming race. Royal Dubai won a handicap race just two weeks ago.
“He seems to love to train on the dirt and he is improving with each race here in Dubai,” she said. “We are aware that this race is the most competitive of the Carnival, being the last over this similar distance, but Saeed Al Rahoomi [owner] wanted to take this step up in class after his game win last time.”
The Gr.2 Balanchine, a race for fillies and mares over the same 1800 metres, has been dominated by Godolphin for the past six seasons. Charlie Appleby has three runners in the race, with Sapphire Seas, a Yarmouth Listed winner, being the top pick for William Buick. English Rose, who was the runner-up in the Cape Verdi, will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona, while Shining Jewel will be ridden by Richie Mullen.
Appleby, who has won this race five times, has made it clear that Sapphire Seas is his first choice. He told Godolphin.com, “Sapphire Seas looks the filly they all have to beat. It was a good win for her in a Listed race on her latest start. This will hopefully be a springboard to a nice European campaign. English Rose has definitely come forward since the Cape Verdi, and I feel that she will appreciate racing over nine furlongs. Stepping back up in trip should suit Shining Jewel as well, and we are applying a tongue-tie to her.”
Hugo Palmer, a British trainer, will be among those trying to break Godolphin's hold on the Balanchine. He will be running Stenton Glider, who finished third in the Cape Verdi.
“We were very pleased with the run of Stenton Glider in the Cape Verdi,” said the Classic-winning trainer. “It was her first run since August, after the first real break she had in her life. The Cape Verdi and the Balanchine were always the plan when we came to Dubai. She is a maiden winner who has been placed in four Stakes races, so she has the quality. She needs to keep plying her trade in Stakes company to become a Stakes winner, so the Balanchine was always going to be her second target. She does have a tentative entry in the [G1] Dubai Turf on World Cup night, but she will have to win the Balanchine and win it well to go there.”
Manama Gold, who remains unbeaten, will be competing in the 1900-metre dirt contest of the Gr.3 UAE Oaks. This race has been won by the last two winners of the Gr.1 Kentucky Oaks, so all eyes will be on Manama Gold to see if she follows the same path. Adrie De Vries will ride the filly for Fawzi Nass.
“She’s very exciting,” said the jockey. “She’s still improving and developing and came out of her last race really good. She was a bit long in her coat when she started here, but she looks fantastic now. I think the further the better for her. She’s got a long stride and she’s very relaxed, so I’m not concerned about [the distance] at all.”
Doug Watson's Mizzyaan, who missed the break but still finished fourth on debut, is one of the rivals of Manama Gold in the race. Auto Bahn, who was second to Falcon of Arabia two weeks ago, will also be competing in the Listed Al Bastakiya, the second leg of the UAE Triple Crown, along with Quartier, the Guineas third, who is also trained by Julio Olascoaga.
“Both horses have shown in their previous starts enough quality to compete at the level of a Triple Crown in the UAE,” said the trainer. “We are happy and confident they’ll run a big race. They both arrive sound and in good condition, which we believe is key at this stage.”
Charlie Appleby has won the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, race seven, five times. He will be running Siskany, who could make history by winning it twice, as no horse has won it twice before.
“Siskany came out of the Al Khail Trophy well, and his record around Meydan speaks for itself,” said Appleby, referring to last year’s Dubai Gold Cup second. “We are hoping that he can produce another strong performance and book his ticket for the Dubai Gold Cup.”
New London, who finished second in the 2022 St Leger at Doncaster, is the other runner for Appleby in the race. He has proved to be slightly disappointing lately, but Appleby is hopeful that cheekpieces will produce a bit more encouragement. The all-Thoroughbred nine-race card will begin at 5:30 pm with a 1000-metre turf handicap. Vespasian, who won over course and distance last month, is considered to be a leading contender in this race.