Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has a pair of newly-minted 3-year-old fillies heading to the post for their debuts over the turf in the Sunday finale in Hallandale.

First, EL MEGEETH (Constitution) makes her first start for Shadwell Stable. Bred by Three Chimneys, the $750,000 Keeneland September purchase is out of Amour d'Ete (Tiznow), who Borges Torrealba Holdings acquired as the third topper at the same sale back in 2013 for $1.75 million. Her most notable produce is GI Preakness S. champ Early Voting (Gun Runner).

Second dam and Canadian 2-year-old champion Silken Cat (Storm Cat) also produced Amour d'Ete's full-sister, MGSW Irap, plus recently deceased sire of sires Speightstown (Gone West) and the dam of G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 victor Capezzano (Bernardini).

Drawn to the extreme outside is the other half of Pletcher's uncoupled entry–Lady Madonna (War Front). A $675,000 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Sale buy for Robert and Lawana Low, the SF Bloodstock bred filly is out of GI Central Bank Ashland S. heroine Rosalind (Broken Vow). She had a 2-year-old colt by Twirling Candy sell to Willie Browne for $200,000 at the Keeneland September Sale and sent to Ireland, and a yearling filly by Tapit go for $450,000 to Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds at Keeneland's November Sale. TJCIS PPS

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With a range of new incentives in place, the eight-week extravaganza, which will culminate in the $30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting on 26 March, has the potential to be one of the best in its history.

The Carnival gets underway with the opening rounds of the 1600 meter (one-mile) (Dirt) Al Maktoum Challenge series, for Thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians and its main support race, the 1600m (Turf) Group 2 Cape Verdi for fillies and mares.

The card also features the first running of the Jumeirah Classic Trial; the first event in the exciting four-race Jumeirah Series which is dedicated to the Classic generation.

A full field of 14 thoroughbreds, many of them boasting big-race aspirations, will contest Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, a race of major significance and potential Dubai World Cup implications.

Arguably one of the best renewals of a race that was first run in 1994, the Group 2 contest has attracted the likes of 2021 Godolphin Mile (G2) winner Secret Ambition, Dubai World Cup fourth Hypothetical and Salute The Soldier, the Bahrain-owned gelding who won the second and third rounds of the series last season.

The full depth of the contest is driven home by the presence of two veteran former Al Maktoum Challenge winners, Kimbear (Round 1 2020) and Capezzano (Round 3, 2019), and four-time Meydan dirt scorer Thegreatcollection.

Former Godolphin-trained Imperial Empire is unbeaten in two starts this season for in-form handler Bhupat Seemar and will have the services of three-time Dubai World Cup-winning rider Frankie Dettori, who makes his highly anticipated seasonal debut in the UAE on Friday.

Seemar, who warmed up for the Carnival by saddling five winners on last week's card, is mob-handed with five contenders in Secret Ambition (Tadhg O'Shea), Imperial Empire, Kimbear (Antonio Fresu), Kafoo (William Buick) and Avant Garde (Richard Mullen).

Assessing the chances of his quintet, the trainer said: “This is the best Al Maktoum Challenge we've had in years. All five are in good form and ready to run. We have a nice mix of old pros and newer horses.

“Secret Ambition has a good draw (Stall 5), is fit, healthy, and good to go.

“Kafoo is drawn 10 but is unbeaten this season. He's doing everything right. I only hope inexperience doesn't catch him because he's definitely got the talent to be up there to compete against this class of horses,” he added.

“Imperial Empire is a Dubawi and is a half-brother to a Group 1 winner, so hopefully he should show up.

“Kimbear ran a good race on his debut for us but unfortunately he's drawn a bit on the outside (Stall 11), while Avant Garde is doing really well. This is his minimum trip, he would rather go over a mile and quarter, but it's a good place to start him.”

O'Shea backs Secret Ambition

UAE champion jockey Tadhg O'Shea has already ridden 30 winners this season, with half of them coming at Meydan, and the popular Irish rider said that he was looking forward to mixing it up with the best jockeys in the Al Maktoum Challenge when he rides the international favorite, Secret Ambition.

“His form speaks for itself and though he runs after a lengthy layoff he should run a very good race,” said the rider. “Whatever he does he will improve for it.”

Champion UAE handler Doug Watson sampled success in the 2020 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 with Kimbear and is set to saddle three contenders – Midnight Sands,, Golden Goal and Thegreatcollection.

He commented: “They're all doing well at home. We were a bit disappointed with Midnight Sands last time but it was his first run after a long lay-off. He's been training well since.

“Thegreatcollection and Golden Goal are both in great shape. They both ran well recently after being off for the track for eight to nine months. It looks like they've come on so we're hoping they all run well.”

Emirati handler Ahmad bin Harmash sends out Listed Dubai Creek Mile runner-up and former Godolphin galloper Eastern World.

“He had his first start on dirt recently and he ran very well, so it looks like can handle the surface,” said Bin Harmash. “He's a new horse who we got at the September sale, but he is well bred and is a half-brother to Thunder Snow. I think he will run well.”

Godolphin seek to extend dominance

The 1600m Cape Verdi (G2), a race named after Godolphin's 1998 1000 Guineas heroine, has been won by the stable on no less than nine occasions and Soft Whisper looks primed to continue that trend on Friday.

Trainer by Saeed Bin Suroor, who has collected five Cape Verdi trophies over the years, Soft Whisper was an impressive winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas last season before having two starts at Newmarket in the UK. She won well over a mile but perhaps did not stay over an extended 2,000 metres in her subsequent outing in October.

Bin Suroor, an eight-time champion trainer at the Carnival, is looking for his first win of the year and believes that Soft Whisper (Frankie Dettori) can get him off the mark by taking out the Cape Verdi.

“She ran well last year, here in Dubai and also when we took her back to England. She won Listed races on both dirt and turf,” he said. “This looks like it is the right race to start her four-year-old campaign as she has been pleasing us at home.”

Bin Suroor also saddles three-time UK scorer Stunning Beauty under young English rider Hector Crouch, who is seeking a first Pattern race success for the Emirati handler.

“Stunning Beauty showed better form in the UK last season and has been going well at home, so I'm hoping for a nice performance over a trip that suits,” said Bin Suroor.

Watson's Mnasek a threat

The main threat to the Bin Suroor pair appears to be the Doug Watson-trainer Mnasek, winner of the 2021 UAE Oaks (G3) on dirt. She makes her turf debut with stable jockey Pat Dobbs in the saddle.

The last three renewals of the Cape Verdi have been taken out by two-time Epsom Derby-winning handler Charlie Appleby who relies on Wedding Dance (William Buick). She won her most recent start on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in November.

Appleby said: “Wedding Dance improved from her first to second run last season, winning nicely at Wolverhampton on the latter occasion.

“The plan was always to bring her out to Dubai afterwards and we have been pleased with the way she has been training out here. She will potentially come forward for this, but we feel that she is ready to have a run and should be competitive.”

The Carnival kicks off at 6.00 pm (UAE time) with the eight-runner Purebred Arabian Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, Presented By The Pointe. The line-up includes the last two winners of this, RB Money To Burn and Brraq, as well as exciting G2 Bani Yas winner RB Rich Lyke Me.

Exciting series for Classic generation

Elsewhere on the card, the Jumeirah Classic Trial, Presented By Palm Jumeirah, has drawn eight promising three-year-olds, led by Bin Suroor's Home City (Frankie Dettori). He comes into the race off the back of a promising second in a 1400 metre nursery at Goodwood last October.

Appleby is represented by Sovereign Prince, who was also successful in the UK last season, winning at Epsom on his most recent start in September.

Another interesting contest is the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic, Presented By The View At The Palm, over 2,400 metres on turf.

Appleby's Wilko, winner of the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom in April last year, and Bin Suroor's Passion And Glory, third in the G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden in September, look the pick of the 16 runners.

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Capezzano and Mickael Barzalona set out to try and make every post a winning one, but with De Vries never too far away before closing to within hailing distance leaving the back straight.

A duel developed throughout the first part of the straight before Capezzano faltered, leaving Salute The Soldier with a clear advantage and one he was never likely to relinquish. Barzalona's mount was passed by eventual runner-up Thegreatcollection and was then denied third, in the final strides, by Ajuste Fiscal. That pair ran on from the back, but never looked likely to deny De Vries.

A 6-year-old gelded son of Sepoy, Nass' charge was registering a third carnival success after a pair last year, in a 1600m (one-mile) turf handicap and then, over the same trip but on dirt, Super Saturday's Group 3 Burj Nahaar.

De Vries said: “Things had not gone to plan in two runs so far this season so we decided to step him up in trip and it has worked perfectly.

“We went a good early pace but I was keen to pressure Mickael quite early and then my horse really picked up well. Perhaps we can look at the 2000m (1 1/4-mile) and Dubai World Cup.”

First contested in 1994, the 1900m (1 3/16 miles) feature, the only Thoroughbred dirt race on the card, has been won twice by subsequent Dubai World Cup winners, Moon Ballad in 2003 and Thunder Snow in 2018.

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RRR Racing's 6-year-old Quip offers arguably the most intrigue on Thursday. A Satish Seemar trainee, the 2019 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner makes just his 15th start and second this season after finishing a non-threatening ninth last out in the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (G2) at one mile. He does have a victory in lofty American company over nine furlongs, but has not raced to that form in three Dubai tries. That said, with his light campaigning, a fitness-building race under his belt and a change of equipment, it would not be a surprise to see him jump back into the win column.

“Quip is training really well,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant trainer. “He has blinkers on the first time. All the speed horses are drawn on the inside, so it's unfortunately not the best draw in eight. With how he's training and what he does in the morning–if he can bring that in the evening–he's going to go very, very close. Hopefully that's what's going to happen.”

Drawn on the rail is the speed of the speed in the race, Capezzano, who has not shown much prowess beyond one mile since winning the 2019 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (G1) over 10 furlongs and a speed-favoring course. In fact, his only performance to that level in five subsequent starts was a stakes record-setting win in last year's one-mile Firebreak (G3).

Meanwhile, ultra-consistent 2020 Burj Nahaar (G3) winner Salute the Soldier is racing 200m farther than he ever has for trainer Fawzi Nass and Doug Watson-trained Thegreatcollection steps up after a pair of career-best runs over one mile, including a second in Round 1.

“The post (seven) doesn't really matter too much with him, as I think they will spread out a bit,” Watson said. “I believe he will stay the trip. His dam won over 1800m.”

Blown By Wind is an unknown quantity over these conditions. A handicapper who consistently competed at a mile in the UK for Mark Johnston, he was turned over to Salem bin Ghadayer, who also trains Capezzano and Listed winner Firnas, and rewarded the yard with an overpowering four-length win in the Jebel Ali Mile (G3) in his second local start. Though his rating has inflated to 110, he must back it up while stretching out an additional 300m and against G2 company. He was flattered when the runner-up that day, Secret Ambition, returned to win last week's Firebreak (G3) by open lengths.

Much focus will be on Dubai Warrior, who leads the ratings at 115, but has never been tested on traditional dirt. A six-time winner on all-weather, including the G3 Winter Derby in 2020 over Saudi Cup-bound Bangkok, the John Gosden trainee must overcome a pedigree that appears a bit counterintuitive to the venture.

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The Group 1 $12 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline saw a total of 176 nominations led by a strong USA representation including G1 Pegasus World Cup winner Knicks Go, and Bob Baffert-trained G1 Runhappy Malibu Stakes-winner Charlatan. Other major contenders include multiple G1 winner Code Of Honor, Godolphin's undefeated Brendan Walsh trainee Maxfield, G2 winners Sleepy Eyes Todd, and Tax, with the latter trained by Danny Gargan, one of the new trainers to have nominated this year. Tacitus who finished fourth in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Classic returns, after having nominated last year as well.

John Gosden's Dubai Warrior who is expected to make a Dubai debut in the Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 2 also joins the list. Musabbeh Al Mheiri's Military Law is expected to shine among the UAE contenders, as are Capezzano, Matterhorn and Kimbear. Contested over 2000m (1 1/4 miles) on dirt, it has been won by horses trained in France, Japan, UAE, UK, and USA in its first 24 runnings.

The Group 1 $5 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic promises to be a star-studded affair, with Addeybb, ranked 3rd Best Racehorse in the Longines World Racing Awards, topping the nominations. With an impressive rating of impressive 125, the 7-year-old is trained by William Haggas, and it is no surprise, he is the highest rated horse amongst those nominated for this race. The Japanese representation is led by multiple G1-winning mare Chrono Genesis, who most recently won the G1 Arima Kinen at the end of 2020. The returning G1 and multiple G2 winner Glory Vase adds greater depth. Other G1 winners in competition include Bill Mott's Channel Maker, David Smaga's Nao Da Mais, and Aidan O'Brien's Mogul. Trainers Saeed bin Suroor, John Gosden and Charlie Appleby are the most successful saddlers in this race, with two wins apiece, while Great Britain has had the most success with seven wins so far.

The Group 1 $4 million Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World has an impressive line-up of nominations with contestants looking to fill the rather large shoes of 2019 winner and the now retired Japanese Superstar Almond Eye. Some of the heavy hitters include John Gosden's Lord North, winner of the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes, Bahrain International Trophy winner Simsir from the stables of Fawzi Nass, G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes Champion Colonel Liam and G2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes winner Largent, both under the care of USA trainer Todd Pletcher. European representation comes through G1 Queen Anne Stakes winner & G2 Singspiel Stakes victor Lord Glitters, trained by David O'Meara. John Gosden also saddles Global Giant who finished second in the Bahrain International Trophy.

American winners account for 13 of 24 editions of the G1 $1.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News. This year a robust offering comes from the USA, including Peter Miller's G1 winner and Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up C Z Rocket, Steve Asmussen's G2 winner Yaupon, Doug O'Neill's multiple G3 winner Wildman Jack, and Bob Baffert's Ax Man. 2019 Dubai Golden Shaheen runner-up Matera Sky from the stables of Hideyuki Mori, and Yoshito Yahagi's Justin highlight the Japanese contingent. Local favorite Gladiator King adds value to the line-up.

The Group 1 $1 million Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments over 1200m (six furlongs) on turf has attracted nominations from across the globe. By far the best accomplished entrant is Australian star sprinter and multiple G1 winner Bivouac, trained by James Cummings for Godolphin, most recent winner of the G1 VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington in November. Other G1 winners in the field include Oleksandra who made her debut in Australia, before moving to the stables of American trainer Neil Drysdale, UK conditioner Roger Teal's Oxted who won the G1, Darley July Cup Stakes, and South African trainer Corne Spies' trainee Van Halen. Amongst the UAE brigade, G3 winners Down On Da Bayou and Lazuli, are just some of the local luminaries nominated.

The three Group 2 events on the day, the $750,000 UAE Derby sponsored by Emirates NBD, $750,000 Godolphin Mile and $750,000 Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, have attracted strong global interest.

The UAE Derby, contested over 1900m draws in plenty of interest form the USA, with Steve Asmussen's Jackie's Warrior winner of the G1 Runhappy Hopeful Stakes & G1 Champagne Stakes, leading the charge. Other notable entries include Doug O'Neill-trained Hot Rod Charlie- 2nd in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and Bob Baffert's well regarded G2 winner and G1-placed, Spielberg and Medina Spirit. UAE in-form company include Zhou Storm, winner in two of three starts, Mnasek, and Soft Whisper. The UAE remains the most successful country in this race, with Saeed bin Suroor garnering all eight wins, his most recent with two-time Dubai World Cup-winner Thunder Snow in 2017.

Nominations for the 1600m Group 2 $750,000 Godolphin Mile, are highlighted by Hong Kong star Elusive State, multiple G2 winning Mr Freeze, the G2 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland in October his most recent victory, under the watch of American conditioner Dale Romans. Fawzi Nass' Port Lions, who finished fourth in the Bahrain International Trophy and is another international winner to watch out for. With 16 wins the UAE remains the dominating force in this race. Frankie Dettori's seven wins is a record in the Mile.

The Dubai Gold Cup contested over a challenging 3200m on turf, and won in 2019 by 2018 Melbourne Cup Champion Cross Counter, sees nominations from multiple Melbourne Cup-placed Prince of Arran, the returning Jamie Osborne-trainee Mekong, French G1 winner Call the Wind, most recently 3rd in the G1 Qatar Prix du Cadron at Longchamp, Mark Johnston's G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp-winner Subjectivist and Andrew Balding's G2 winner-Spanish Mission, whose most recent victory came in the G2 Doncaster Cup Stakes.

The first supplementary stage for all races on Dubai World Cup day will close on Wednesday, February 10, when connections can nominate their horse for 0.1% of the prize money of their chosen race. The second supplementary stage is on Monday, March 8, when horses can be supplemented for 1% of the prize money. The third and final supplementary stage takes place on Sunday, March 21, when horses can be supplemented into the race for 10% of the prize money. Entry/declaration takes place Monday, March 22.

For further details regarding nominations, Dubai Racing Club's International Racing Liaison Officer Stephanie Cooley can be contacted at: Stephanie.cooley@dubairacingclub.com

All races are being contested and regulated in a standard fashion and results are being recorded in an official capacity. In line with the UAE Government regulations, Dubai Racing Club is following strict health and safety measures, including full sanitization, thermal screening of attendees and social distancing.

VIEW DUBAI WORLD CUP 2021 NOMINATIONS HERE

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