The new minimum purse of AED165,000 will be for non-stakes races, while all Group 1 races will be increased to a purse of at least AED1 million. The prize-money of $30.5 million on Dubai World Cup night will remain unchanged. In addition, all Meydan cards will feature nine races except for the first two.

Other changes revealed by the DRC include two new feature race nights: Festive Friday on Dec. 22 and Fashion Friday on Jan. 26, while Super Saturday will be held on Mar. 2, and Dubai World Cup night is set for Mar. 30. Racing at Meydan begins on Friday, Nov. 10.

“The DRC management and board have decided to reshape racing in Dubai, to improve sustainability in line with what is happening in the region,” said Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club. “Today, many countries are going along with Dubai and the UAE by using racing to showcase their development, a journey which Dubai started much earlier.

“The Dubai Racing Carnival has now become the whole season. Horses can now come to Dubai from the start of the season until the Dubai World Cup.”

Stephanie Cooley, International Manager for DRC, added, “From an international perspective, we still have our quarantine facilities, plus trainers also have the option of shifting over to a local stable. It's a more condensed season but we have retained all of the feature races and aligned them more with some of the bigger races in the region.”

British horses will also now have more travel options when visiting the Middle East.

“Horses trained in the UK have the option of 90 days temporary import, with the option of going in and out,” said Erwan Charpy, Advisor to the DRC. “They can also come on a permanent import and go back with a 30-day quarantine or go back as temporary import. There are discussions to get England to line up with the regulations in the European Union, as since Brexit there is almost no problem with horses going back to the EU without quarantine on a permanent import.

“The import certificate was previously just for the Dubai Racing Club, but now it is for the Middle East, which allows for more freedom of movement.”

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Waving Godolphin Blue

The G3 Dubai Millennium S. sports this week's headliner, as Grade I winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) returns for a new campaign after what could be considered a successful 2022. The Godolphin homebred won last year at Meydan in the Jumeirah Derby, before competing at Newmarket, Epsom, in the 'Turf Triple' at each of the NYRA courses Stateside and finally in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, where he was fifth behind stablemate Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Bearing the blue brought him an Eclipse Award nomination in the Male Turf Division off of his victories in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. in August and the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. in September, as well as his runner-up effort in the first leg of the Turf Triple, the GI Belmont Derby Invtiational S. in July. The 4-year-old colt should enjoy a return to 10 furlongs here as the deserving favorite in European markets.

“There will be some improvement to come for whatever he [Nations Pride] does on his seasonal return, as we hope that he has another international campaign ahead of him this year, said trainer Charlie Appleby. “Depending on how he goes here, we will consider potentially looking at the [G1] Jebel Hatta [on Super Saturday] or the [G1] Dubai Turf [on Dubai World Cup night].”

Appleby also runs multiple stakes winner and multiple group-placed Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), third in the G2 Singspiel S. last time out. “Returning to this distance looks as though it might benefit Ottoman Fleet based on his two runs so far this year,” he continued. “He goes into the race a fit horse with solid form around him, so he should be a major player.”

Dual French listed winner Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) is aiming to improve after a fourth in the G3 Al Rashidiya on Jan. 13.

Longshot in the Nad Al Sheba

As for the other group races on Friday, a true distance test and  prep race for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup will be proctored at 14 panels on the grass in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy S. Godolphin, winners on nine occasions, has the advantage with four runners in Global Heat (Ire) Toronado (Ire), Brilliant Light (GB) (Sea The Stars), Siskany (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire} and Kemari (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“Siskany looks great and will be a player if he brings his best form to the table,” said Charlie Appleby. “He has won over the course and trip, so he looks the one they have to beat.

“Kemari will also be competitive if he can rekindle some of his old form. He ran some solid races last year but can be a little inconsistent these days.”

Added fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, “Global Heat won over this trip in the Al Khail Trophy and came out of his recent handicap run in good order. He stays well and I'm hoping for another good effort. Brilliant Light worked well last week and has some good form over this distance. He is ready to go again and will appreciate the step up in trip.”

Not to be overlooked is the Amy Murphy trainee Magical Morning (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), who is a quality longshot and could play the role of spoiler, if the gelding can handle the stretch out in distance.

American Jaunt Continues in UAE Oaks

Rounding out Friday's Group 3 events is a Classic on the dirt oval that brings together seven fillies. Of these, Mimi Kakushi (City Of Light) looks best, not because her barn won this race last year, but because the bay filly clearly likes the Meydan surface–including a pair of wins in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial over 1400 metres on Dec. 23 and in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas upped to a mile on Jan. 20. Seven fillies have completed the UAE Guineas/Oaks double, with Shahama (Munnings), subsequently second in the GII Mother Goose S. and a winner of the GIII Monmouth Oaks in America, the latest in 2022.

Standing in her way will be the American-based Ami Please (Goldencents) for trainer Doug O'Neill. Running solely on turf since her California debut at Del Mar on Aug. 1, she was third last time out in the Blue Norther S. at Santa Anita, finishing just behind next out winner, Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). Her barn collected a savory win last Friday with Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky) in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas.

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“Lazuli is tried and tested over five furlongs at Meydan and this is his optimum trip,” said Appleby. “He is in great form and, even with his draw in stall one, he has speed horses around him and looks the one to beat.

“Man Of Promise ran a good solid race over this distance in the Ertijaal Dubai Dash and seems to be taking his racing better these days.”

Shadwell's Kuzaam (Kitten's Joy), who won the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint by two lengths last February, is hoping to rebound off of a seventh-place run in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night.

“Khuzaam has taken a bit of time to come around, but is really well,” said trainer Doug Watson. “The long layoff is a worry but he's a really nice horse.”

G2 Sapphire S. heroine Ladies Church (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), the only filly in the field, could also be heard from in the Mark Dobbin silks. She was 17 of 19 in the G1 Flying Five S. over this distance at the Curragh on Sept. 11.

“She is in very good form, but like all our horses who travelled to Dubai this season, she will probably need her first run of the year,” said trainer Johnny Murtagh.

2021 victor Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) is also signed on but has not won since taking that race for Mrs. Fitriani Hay and trainer Charlie Hills.

American-breds A Force Majeure In Guineas

The $150,000 G2 UAE 2000 Guineas run over 1600 metres on the main track sees nine American-bred colts and one Argentinean line up for one of the earliest Classics of the year.

No stranger to Meydan, trainer Doug O'Neill has sent the Calumet Farm-owned Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky), who should run with credit, despite his maiden status. Out of the unraced Madame Mayra, the colt enters with a fourth-place run in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 17.

“The reason he's in Dubai is because we think he's capable of being pointed to the [G2] UAE Derby [on Mar. 25],” said Leandro Mora, assistant trainer to Doug O'Neill. “He has two GI Kentucky Derby points already and we like him because he's run three tough races against Bob Baffert horses. He's a gentle giant with a lot of talent. We think this race might suit him as he loves the surface at Meydan.”

Charles Fipke homebred Shirl's Bee (Bee Jersey) is aiming to maintain his perfect record after running out a track-and-trip victor in a Dec. 23 maiden race.

“Shirl's Bee would be the most interesting of our runners on Friday,” said Doug Watson, who has been named champion trainer in the Emirates seven times. “He has been training well and we like him a lot. He has a good draw and we're really looking forward to seeing him run.”

Tamarkuz colt Tiger Nation has an even dearer record to protect, as he made a winning debut at Jebel Ali on New Year's Day, before running out a 1 1/4-length victor of a 1400-metre conditions affair on Jan. 13. The main question is the step up in distance for the Sheikh Hamden bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned bay.

“Tiger Nation came out of the Guineas Trial well,” said Salem bin Ghadayer. “He has a wide draw [9] but he has natural speed and we're hoping he can control the race and be there or thereabouts.”

Large Godolphin Contingent Ready For “Business”

Shining Blue (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is one of four bearing the royal blue in the Listed Business Bay Challenge over 1400 metres on turf, and he is part of a Saeed bin Suroor trio mustered for this test. A last-out winner over course and distance defeating the re-opposing Spirit Of Light (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) on Jan. 20, he carries a red-capped Daniel Tudhope and they break from stall four. Bin Suroor also sends listed winner Major Partnership (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and 2021 G2 Al Fahidi Fort hero Land Of Legends (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})

“Shining Blue won nicely in a handicap over this course and trip last month, said bin Suroor. “He has done well since and is ready to go again. Land Of Legends has won a big race over this distance in the past and we wanted to give him a chance back over seven furlongs as he displays plenty of speed in his races. Major Partnership never shows a great deal in the mornings but I'm hoping he is saving it for the racecourse.”

However, the blue cap is bestowed on Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) from the Charlie Appleby barn. A listed winner at Windsor last June, the 5-year-old gelding has also been placed three times in group company, including when second in the G3 Sovereign S. at Salisbury in August. He weakened to sixth after setting the pace in the G2 Zabeel Mile here on Jan. 20.

Curlin S. Springboard To Dubai World Cup

The race re-named in honour of the dual American Horse of the Year, Curlin, who won the 2000-metre Jaguar Trophy H. in 2008 one start before his G1 Dubai World Cup victory, has attracted a field of one dozen aspirants for the $12-million big dance on Mar. 25.

On rankings, Salem bin Ghadayer trainee Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) towers over the field at 112. The 2022 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 hero was last seen finishing seventh in the Dubai World Cup at the end of March.

“I need to give him one race before [the] Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday,” said bin Ghadayer. “He has a wide draw and top weight, but it's a prep race and he's 80-85% fit.”

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The Simon and Ed Crisford charge blitzed the competition by 6 1/2 lengths when taking the first leg of the challenge in imperious fashion last month, and he is no stranger to group victories in the UAE, as he secured the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last February.

He might not be able to manage his previous stalk-and-pounce trip, as he faces a worthy opponent in Thunder Snow Challenge victor Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}), who went pillar to post in that affair.

Just below the top drawer in the past, Al Rashid Stables' 2022 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 runner-up Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) defeated Bendoog (Gun Runner) in the Listed The Entisar when last seen in December.

Hassan Saleh Al Hammadi's Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday last March, was second to Bathran Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night. He was never involved to finish sixth in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 in the wake of Algiers earlier this year.

'Prince' Eyeing Hat Trick

Godolphin's Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), fresh off of a three-quarter length victory in the G2 Al Rashidiya going this course and distance here on Jan. 13, is hoping to run his winning thread to three in Friday's $180,000 G2 Singspiel S. Presented By Emaar. A winner of the Listed Ganton S. at York in June, the bay defeated fellow royal blue colourbearers Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saeed bin Suroor and fellow Appleby trainee Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) last month.

“Valiant Prince has come out of the Al Rashidiya well. He has to carry a penalty for that win but has a nice draw in stall two and should be very competitive based on what he achieved last time out,” said Appleby. “I feel Ottoman Fleet has come forward since the Al Rashidiya, when he travelled well before getting a bit tired in the last 100 yards. He is better at the weights with Valiant Prince this time, which should put him bang there.”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future ran well to finish second in the Al Rashidiya and this course and distance suits him. This is another tough race but he heads into it in good form.”

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's listed hero San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will attempt to regain his form after a seventh-place effort while racing in the rear for trainer Doug Watson in the G2 Al Rashidiya behind Valiant Prince.

Godolphin Quartet Tough To Get Past In Cape Verdi

One of the few races exclusively dedicated to fillies and mares at group level during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the G2 Cape Verdi Presented By Emaar sees Godolphin field one third of the 12-horse field. Charlie Appleby's With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) towers above the dozen entered in the rankings at 112. After taking a stakes in England last May, the daughter of 2009 G2 Flying Childers S. victress Sand Vixen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) traveled to America and ran with credit to take second in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. in July. A winner of the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational S. in her own right one month later, With The Moonlight was a close fifth in the GII Lake Placid S. on Aug. 20, but the Cape Verdi is her first try back.

Stablemate and Grade I heroine Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could only manage fourth to the re-opposing Saeed bin Suroor duo of Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and White Moonlight (Medaglia d'Oro) in the IPI Tombe S. on Jan. 13.

“With The Moonlight is clear on official ratings and, while the trip will be on the sharper side, I feel that the style of racing at Meydan will suit her,” Appleby said. “Wild Beauty has definitely come on for her first start of the year and will hopefully be very competitive. I feel we have two fillies that should be bang there in the finish.”

Bin Suroor was also positive on his pair, and said, “Soft Whisper is a tough filly, who always tries in her races, and came out of her win in the Ipi Tombe S. in good form. She has been going well at home and I'm looking for another success from her. White Moonlight is a big, strong filly, who is improving all the time. Her latest piece of work went well and the step back up in trip will suit. We are hopeful of another good effort.”

Dirt Sprinters Eye Al Shindagha Laurels

Rounding out the quartet of group races on Friday is the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint presented by Emaar. Fielding 13 runners after two scratches, the 1200-metre affair is a contentious clash, with track-and-trip G3 hero Eastern World (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) one of the leading contenders. The Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi colourbearer was fifth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen here on Dubai World Cup night when last seen.

Even with Eastern World at 111 on rankings is Shadwell's Mubakker (Speightstown), who was fifth in the G2 Godolphin Mile last March. Now seven, the Doug Watson-trained grey has not lost any talent with another year under his belt, as he was only 1 1/2 lengths behind Switzerland (Speightstown), and a like margin in front of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 2021 G3 UAE 2000 Guineas victor Mouheeb (Flatter) in the G3 Dubawi S. on Jan. 6.

Another Watson trainee set to leave stall seven is Isolate (Mark Valeski) for RRR Racing. Placed in the GIII Nashua S. back in 2020 Stateside, the two-time stakes winner was second in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in his final start for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Tom Amoss, and is making his desert bow for Doug Watson on Friday.

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Several lengths off the pace in second as Ever Given (Kodi Bear {Ire}) opened up leaving the chute, Prince Eiji raced well off the fence to avoid the kickback over the sealed surface. He took dead aim on that foe at the half-way point and Sam Hitchcott let he loose leaving the bend. In front 300 metres out, he glided to the wire an easy winner, as Everfast and Thegreatcollection both made up ground in behind.

“Fantastic result,” said trainer Doug Watson, winning this race for the second time. “I'm very happy for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid [Al Maktoum, owner] to see Prince Eiji come back like that. I thought Sam [Hitchcott] sat in the perfect position all the way around as you just don't know how conditions like that are going to suit them.”

“He showed what he's capable of there,” added Hitchcott. “It was a difficult decision for Pat [Dobbs] to ride Everfast but I learned a lot from riding this horse last time. He's an athlete; he's very natural when it comes to switching his leads, which is what you need on the dirt.”

A winner of his Ascot debut all the way back in 2018, Prince Eiji made just three starts in 2022, but his yearly finale was a victory in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile at the beginning of December. The 7-year-old ran fifth in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 on the opening day of the Dubai World Cup Carnival earlier this month.

Pedigree Notes

Part of a legion of 249 stakes winners for Dubawi, Prince Eiji is the fourth group winner bred on the Dubawi/Pivotal cross with his victory on Friday. G2 Queen's Vase scorer Kemari (GB), G3 Prix de Flore victress Intimation (GB) and Desert Wisdom (GB), successful in the G3 Burj Nahaar, were earlier representatives. His dam, Classic-placed in the 2011 G1 Oaks, would go onto greater things as a 4-year-old, taking both the G1 Prix Jean Romanet and G1 Pretty Polly S. At stud, Izzi Top's second foal was the 1.9m gns Tattersalls October yearling turned stakes-placed Willie John (GB) (Dansili {GB}), with Prince Eiji her third, a 2.6m gns sale darling also during Book 1 in 2017. Her record currently stands at eight foals, with five to race and five winners. Her gelding of 2018, Zagato (GB) (Frankel {GB}), collected his black-type win in Bahrain. In 2021, she foaled an Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly, and her latest produce is a colt by Frankel (GB), born on Apr. 14, 2022.

Izzi Top is a half-sister to Grade III winner Emaraaty (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), and G2 Prix de la Nonette heroine Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who ran second in the G1 Prix de l'Opera. Their dam is the high class Group 1 winner Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic), herself a daughter of the G1 Irish Oaks-winning blue hen Colorspin (Fr) (High Top {Ire}).

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
FIREBREAK S. PRESENTED BY LONGINES-G3, $150,000, Meydan, 1-27, NH4yo/up & SH 3yo/up, 8f, 1:39.06, sy.
1–PRINCE EIJI (GB), 126, g, 7, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Izzi Top (GB) (G1SW-Fr & Ire, MGSW &
                                G1SP-Eng, $734,076), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Zee Zee Top (GB), by Zafonic
3rd Dam: Colorspin (Fr), by High Top (Ire)
1ST GROUP WIN. (2,600,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Sheikh
Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Meon Valley Stud (GB);
T-Doug Watson; J-Sam Hitchcott. $90,000. Lifetime Record:
MGSP-Eng, 19-3-3-2, $181,927. *1/2 to Willie John (GB)
(Dansili {GB}), SP-Eng; and Zagato (GB) (Frankel {GB}), SW-Bah,
$187,508. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Everfast, 126, g, 7, Take Charge Indy–Awesome Surprise, by
Awesome Again. ($47,000 Ylg '17 KEEJAN). O-Kildare Stud –
Frankie O'Connor; B-Extern Developments (KY); T-Doug
Watson. $30,000.
3–Thegreatcollection, 126, g, 9, Saint Anddan–Cactus Cadillac,
by Cactus Ridge. O-Zaur Sekrekov; B-Kathleen Amaya,
Alexandro Centofanti & Raffaele Centofanti (FL); T-Doug
Watson. $15,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 2 1/4.
Also Ran: Ever Given (Ire), Law Of Peace (GB), Discovery Island (GB), Imperial Empire (GB), Mister Saint Paul (Fr). Click for the VIDEO.

The Prince reigns at Meydan

A classy performance from Prince Eiji who lands the G3 Firebreak Stakes Presented by Longines for Doug Watson & Sam Hitchcott #DWCCarnival | #DWC23 | #RacingDubai pic.twitter.com/b9IZSdKiaB

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) January 27, 2023

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Punching the breeze from his wide draw, he was content to let One Nation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) take the lead for the opening quarter mile. Eventually steered back through the field to get some cover, the hooded bay revved back up by the 500-metre mark and arrived with his run at the 300-metre pole. It took him until the 50-metre mark to collar One Nation, but once he was in the clear, he motored home a facile winner. One Nation was 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Highbank (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in third to give Charlie Appleby and Godolphin the trifecta.

“That was lovely in a competitive race, as the second and third set a good standard,” said William Buick. “He'll be a better horse on better ground.”

A winner of his first four starts, including to at listed level in England, Naval Power's flawless record ended with a sixth in the G1 Dewhurst S. in October. The Jumeirah was his 3-year-old bow.

Emirates Rewards did her best running at three where she accrued three victories. At stud, she has three winners from four runners, a Harry Angel (Ire) juvenile filly and a yearling filly by Raven's Pass. Her dam is GI Spinster S. heroine Asi Siempre (El Prado {Ire}), who also foaled GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero and sire Outstrip (GB). Click for the VIDEO.

JUMEIRAH CLASSIC-Listed, $150,000, Meydan, 1-27, 3yo, 9fT, 1:52.64, sf.
1–NAVAL POWER (GB), 121, c, 3, by Teofilo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Emirates Rewards (GB), by Dubawi (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Asi Siempre, by El Prado (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Siempre Asi, by Silver Hawk
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick.
$90,000. Lifetime Record: MSW-Eng, 6-5-0-0, $167,112.
2–One Nation (GB), 121, g, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Lacey's Lane (GB),
by Street Cry (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (GB);
T-Charlie Appleby. $30,000.
3–Highbank (Ire), 121, g, 3, Kingman (GB)–Bristol Bay (Ire), by
Montjeu (Ire). (750,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE.
O-Godolphin; B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud (GB); T-Charlie
Appleby. $15,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3 1/4, 1HF.
Also Ran: Legend Of Cannes, Slava Ukraini (Den), Long Kiss (Brz), Nopoli (GB), Bay Of Plenty (Ire), Al Hajaj  (Ire).

A @godolphin 1-2-3 as the classy Naval Power bounces back to his best with a smooth display in the Jumeirah Classic Presented by Longines for William Buick & Charlie Appleby#DWCCarnival | #DWC23 | #RacingDubai pic.twitter.com/vyAOMH8aY2

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) January 27, 2023

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Notebooks at the ready!

Mawj clings on from Dream Of Love who absolutely storms home from miles back and very nearly got there in the Jumeirah Fillies Classic @RacingDubai. The runner-up will surely prove the better filly going forward. #DWCCarnival #DWC23 pic.twitter.com/IkjOl7MsyK

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 27, 2023

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Back from a successful sojourn Down Under where he landed the G2 Shannon S. in 2020 and the G2 Ajax S. in 2021 for Peter & Paul Snowden, the 7-year-old is hoping to tally a win in his third individual country. A three-time scorer in his native land and third in the G3 Desmond S. in 2019, I Am Superman was second in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. at Caulfield when last seen on Sept. 17.

“We're delighted with I Am Superman since arriving in Dubai,” said O'Callaghan. “He's in really good form ahead of Friday and Colin Keane is over to ride both him and Fastnet Crown (Ire) (Hallowed Crown {Aus}) [in the Dubai Eye 103.8 H.].”

Bearing the coveted blue cap among the Godolphin quintet is 2021 G1 2000 Guineas runner-up and dual group hero Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Charlie Appleby. He was last in action at HQ taking the G3 Earl Of Sefton S. in April.

Appleby, who is gunning for a sixth edition of the Zabeel Mile, said, “Master Of The Seas has settled in well in Dubai, but we are very much working back from Dubai World Cup night and Super Saturday. There will be some natural improvement from whatever he does here.”

Among trainer Saeed bin Suroor's three-pronged attack is Land Of Legends (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), whose biggest triumph was the 2021 G2 Al Fahidi Fort.

“This looks a tough race for the three of them,” said the trainer, who also saddles 2022 G2 Al Rashidiya winner Desert Fire (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Laser Show (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}).

Fillies To The Fore In Guineas Hunt

A select field of seven fillies vie for the first Classic crown of the season in Friday's $150,000 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Presented By ARN. The 1600-metre dirt test is anchored by Harry Eustace's Cite D'Or (Fr) (Galiway {GB}). Already a two-time winner in the UK, the sixth-place finisher in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last October is the first runner for her Haras de Colleville-based sire in Dubai and is making her dirt bow.

“She travelled out to Meydan on Dec. 29,” said majority owner Nick Bradley. “She's done everything right to date but the dirt is an unknown. She'll go from here to the [G3] UAE Oaks which has been her target since November.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's Mimi Kakushi (City Of Light) makes her first run back since storming home a two-length winner over Asawer (Nyquist) and Awasef (Cairo Prince) in a local 1400-metre conditions race at third asking on Dec. 23.

“Both fillies are in top form,” said Bin Ghadayer. “They are facing the same fillies they ran against before. :”I'm happy with Mimi Kakushi, even with the extra furlong from her last race,” said trainer Salem bin Ghadayer.

Al Khail Trophy Attracts Classic Hero

Bennett Racing's Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) steps up in trip to 2810 metres over the Meydan turf in the Listed Al Khail Trophy Presented By ARN, the third and final black-type race of the day. The 2022 G2 Italian Derby hero, formerly trained by Markus Klug, was placed in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in August. His final run of the year was a fourth in Belmont Park's GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. over 1 1/2 miles on Sept. 17.

“Ardakan joined us after his run in the US,” said Lucia Botti, overseeing the team in Dubai. “He's a lovely big, imposing, young horse whose plan is to run hopefully in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup. He has settled into his daily routine nicely here and we are all very excited to see him racing for us, up in distance, on Friday.”

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The pulse intensifies week-to-week at Meydan Racecourse, as it's almost a fortnight into the Dubai World Cup Carnival. A seven-race card this Friday sports the 1800-metre G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Azizi, and a well-matched field of 11 will vie for group honours over the Meydan turf.

That distance might be a touch long for Godolphin-bred, Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). He is poised to make a splash in what is his 7-year-old debut for trainer Saeed bin Suroor as he points towards what could be his third consecutive appearance in the G1 Sheema Classic come March. It should be noted that he bested stablemate Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who also reappears here, in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy at Sakhir Racecourse on Nov. 18.

“He [Dubai Future] hasn't had a run for two months but he's been back in full training a while now, he's working well and I'm happy with him,” said Bin Suroor. “The Bahrain Trophy was obviously a good result and this is the best race for him before World Cup night.

“We will see how he runs here before deciding where he ends up. He's a tough horse, a fighter, and we'll just have to see how he runs before the World Cup meeting.

“Passion And Glory has also been training well since Dubai and I expect him to run well as well.”

As expected, more royal blue will be present in the form of a pair of lightly-raced Charlie Appleby runners–namely, Newmarket listed hero Ottoman Fleet (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The former gained valuable experience when fourth in the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot last summer, and he was also runner-up two starts later in the G3 Darley S. at HQ. The latter won a pair of handicaps over the winter at Meydan in 2022, and earned a career-best black-type score in the Listed Ganton S. at York in June. This old fashioned 'horse-for-the-course' angle from his winter exploits could offer a clue as to what is expected from this sharp-looking  5-year-old gelding.

One other runner that warrants a look is the Doug Watson-trained San Donato (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). An ultra-consistent performer against listed-types, this 7-year-old competed more often as a miler for Roger Varian's barn. Gelded last April, he came to his new outfit and won a listed tune-up by two lengths at Abu Dhabi on Dec. 4.

Classic Pointer On The Undercard

Besides the stakes action later on in the evening, race three is the purview of colts with potential Classic aspirations, with an octet signed on for the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Presented By Azizi over 1400 metres on the main track. The most accomplished runners in this conditions heat hail from South America, with the three-for-four Loreley (Brz) (Kentuckian) amply supported by fellow dual listed winner Es-Unico (Brz) (War Secretary), and Group 3 victor Eye On The Prize (Arg) (Il Campione {Chi}).

Godolphin also holds a strong hand in the Ipi Tombe S. Presented By Azizi, as a quartet of runners represent bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby, split two apiece. 2021 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas heroine Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) squares off with stablemate White Moonlight (Medaglia d'Oro). Appleby's duo of Grade I winner Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Light Of Peace (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also step out in this conditions heat over 1400 metres on the Meydan lawn.

“Soft Whisper is working well and likes it in Dubai, I'm really happy with her, she worked really well last week,” said bin Suroor. “She's in the right race over the right trip [seven furlongs], so we'll see how she goes.

“White Moonlight had three years off but she still shows me something on a morning, the problem is she is unsound.

“Every time she got close to a run she'd get another problem. I've given her lots of time, but I know she still has class. She's better than she showed last time. What I see on the morning is very good. We just thought we'd give her a chance out here in Dubai before deciding on her future.”

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