There are plenty of Dubai World Cup pointers at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, when the track stages four Group races. The official feature is the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes over nine furlongs on turf, which sees popular grey Lord Glitters try to become the first horse to win back to back renewals.
“We're happy with his training and we thought he ran well enough the other night in his first run at Meydan this season,” said UK-based trainer David O'Meara. “He had a little break after Bahrain [G3 International Trophy, Nov. 19] and might have needed his first run back.”
It won't be easy for O'Meara's star as Charlie Appleby saddles Zakouski, who boasts an impressive track record, having won three of his four starts here. His only local defeat came at the hands of Lord Glitters in last year's Singspiel.
“He didn't see out the 1 1/4-mile trip when ninth in the Bahrain International Trophy last time,” said the UK Champion Trainer. “We think he'll be better down in trip in the Singspiel as he ran really well in the race last year.”
The strong field also includes Sir Busker, who makes his UAE debut for trainer William Knight, who experienced Carnival success back in 2007 when Illustrious Blue won at Nad Al Sheba. Third in the G1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot in June, the 6-year-old represents Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds and will use this race as a prep for the G1 Emirates Airline Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday.
“We're excited to see Sir Busker line up in Friday's Singspiel Stakes,” said Sam Hoskins, Syndicate Manager for Kennet Valley.
“He travelled over well last weekend and has settled in nicely to life at Meydan. He has been working nicely at home in Newmarket and while he will improve a bit for the run (Super Saturday being the main aim), hopefully he will run a nice race here.”
There are two Group 3s on the card, including the UAE 2000 Guineas, which sees a rematch between the first three home in the Guineas Trial; Rawy, Quality Boone and Kiefer.
Rawy is owned by RRR Racing and trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer, who said: “He ran well in the Guineas Trial and came back from the race well; very sound.
“It's pretty much a similar field in the Guineas and the two extra furlongs will not be an issue for the horse. He's in good form and has handled his preparation very well. I believe that he is going to run a big race on Friday.”
The other Group 3 is the Al Shindagha Sprint over six furlongs, in which Doug Watson's Al Tariq will defend his title. He has a kilo penalty for his G3 Dubawi Stakes win last time out, in which Freedom Fighter and Canvassed were behind him.
Canvassed, winner of the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal over course and distance last March, will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni, who said: “he was a bit rusty last time and just got very tired. Doug Watson and the team have done a great job with him and Sam Hitchcott breezed him the other day and he did a nice piece of work, so hopefully he will have come on for that run.”
The Listed Curlin Stakes [Presented by Race of Ambition], run over the same 2000metres as the G1 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup, will see Group 1 winner Salute The Soldier make his second start of the year. Trained by Fawzi Nass, the 7-year-old won G1 Maktoum Challenge R3 last season and was fifth in Round 1 last month.
“He's in good shape. He's had his first run now, over a mile, because we thought he would be gassy and fresh and needing the run,” said the Bahraini handler. “Hopefully that race has brought him on and he's ready to rock and roll this week in the Curlin Stakes.”
The formidable line-up includes Dubai Icon, an 8 1/2-length winner last time out when the re-opposing G2 UAE Derby winner Rebel's Romance was among his victims.
The card also stages a new race, the Listed Business Bay Challenge over seven furlongs on turf. It sees the return of three-time course winner D'Bai, who won the Group 2 Zabeel Mile here last season.
The evening's action gets underway with the Group 2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah, for Purebred Arabians, in which RB Money To Burn defends her title, but faces stiff opposition from Namrood, a near nine-length winner here 11 days ago.
