Tag: G1 Jebel Hatta

Another Group 1 Winner For Frankel As Measured Time Brings Up Jebel Hatta

Fresh off seeing his Inspiral (GB) named the 2023 Eclipse Champion Turf Female, the success kept coming for Juddmonte's Frankel (GB), as his MEASURED TIME (GB) (c, 4, out of Minidress {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) surged to a good-looking victory in the G1 Jebel Hatta Presented by Longines at Meydan Racecourse on Friday. It was the 34th worldwide top-level winner for Frankel. Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby were winning their third group race of the evening after half-siblings Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) won the G2 Al Fahidi Fort and G2 Blue Point Sprint, respectively, earlier on the card.

The pick of William Buick despite the presence of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), the 4-year-old perched just one off and one back of that rival's shoulder for much of the Jebel Hatta's 1800-metre trip. The duo tracked fellow Godolphin runner Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for the duration, who at one point had as many as eight lengths on the field. Buick gave Measured Time his cue in upper stretch, and he soon reeled in Highland Avenue, before striding out a 1 3/4-length winner. The fourth Godolphin runner in the nine-strong field, Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) unleashed a strong late burst to take second, three-quarters of a length in front of G2 Zabeel Mile winner San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in third. Mawj received a check near the furlong pole and dropped out of the race to finish tailed off. The final time for the 1800 metres over good turf was 1:47.89. The winner is a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
O/B-Godolphin (GB). T-Charlie Appleby.

 

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Summers Looking For More Meydan Magic With Clapton

by Alan Carasso & Heather Anderson

Trainer Chad Summers knows the nooks and crannies of Meydan, having saddled Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) to victories in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in 2017 and again in 2018. With Dubai World Cup just a couple of months down the road, the horseman is back in the Emirates for Friday's newly upgraded G1 Al Maktoum Challenge-R2 and is in with a big chance in the form of RRR Racing's Clapton (Brethren).

The Florida-bred 5-year-old was acquired privately by these connections last summer and earned a spot in the field for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic with an 8-1 upset in the GIII Lukas Classic S. at Churchill Downs, where he had next-out GII Clark S. hero Trademark (Upstart) a head back in second. The latter races in Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. Ironically, Mind Your Biscuits was victorious in the Lukas Classic before finishing down the field in the Breeders' Cup, but Friday, Clapton will meet nothing of the quality of White Abarrio (Race Day) and Mind Your Biscuits's son Derma Sotogake (Jpn)–at least this time around. Antonio Fresu breezed Clapton in California prior to the Breeders' Cup and is in to ride Friday.

“We think that maybe he didn't like being on the inside,” Summers said, referring to the Classic. “He's such a big horse that we'd like him to really get into his rhythm and if we lose a little bit of ground, that's OK. We hope they'll go an honest-enough pace. We're adding blinkers for this, too.”

Kabirkhan (California Chrome) is very much the new kid on the block, and trainer Doug Watson wheels him back on two weeks' rest after the colt–eight for nine in Russia–was an extremely impressive winner of a 2000-metre handicap on Jan. 1.

“He was showing it at home, but he had to go over and prove it at the races, and I believe he did,” the conditioner said. “He's come out of that race in good shape. Ideally we wouldn't want to be running back in two weeks, but it's a million-dollar Group 1. I think he belongs in it, and whatever he does in it, we're looking forward to the third round and World Cup night.”

Atletico El Culano (Uru) (Alcorano {Brz}) was third to the G1 Saudi Cup-bound Isolate (Mark Valeski) at big odds in last year's G2 Godolphin Mile and prepped for this with a defeat of Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in a course-and-distance handicap Dec. 22. Third in that heat was Walk of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who can improve for that first experience on the dirt in this spot.

Mawj Aiming For Hat Trick Of Meydan Wins In Jebel Hatta

It is not every day a GI Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up surfaces in the G1 Jebel Hatta Presented by Longines over 1800 metres of pristine Meydan turf, but Godolphin's Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) will be doing just that in her 4-year-old bow. The diminutive filly, a winner of the G1 1000 Guineas and GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup in England and the U.S., respectively, is trained by Saeed bin Suroor. She was the slimmest of noses behind fellow Godolphin runner Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Mile at Santa Anita last November.

“Mawj arrived in Dubai after the Breeders' Cup and had a bit of an easy time,” said bin Suroor, who last won this race in 2019 with Dream Castle (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and trained Mawj to a pair of 2023 conditions race wins over the Meydan lawn. “She's doing well and I'm happy with her. After this the plan is the [G1] Dubai Turf [on Dubai World Cup night at the end of March] and then we will take her back to Europe.”

Last-out G2 Zabeel Mile hero San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), from the yard of Doug Watson, is trying for his first top-tier victory, as is Zabeel Mile third El Patriota (Uru) (Ecologo {Arg}).

Julio Olascoaga, who trains the latter said, “He earned the chance to run this race after his good result last time out. The opposition cannot be stronger but we're confident he will continue to run big.”

G2 Bahrain Trophy winner Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), owned in part by Sir Alex Ferguson, is also part of the nine-strong field.

Trainer Richard Fahey said, “It's his first Group 1 and a tough race, a proper Group 1 and we're looking forward to seeing him run. Everything is going well and he's in great order.

“I'm afraid his owners can't make it this time which is a big shame because I know they were keen to come, but it's just fallen on the wrong day sadly. Sir Alex is used to winning, but he gets a good kick out of it, so let's hope he runs well again.”

An Eighth Al Fahidi Fort For Appleby?

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby is gunning for his eighth 1400-metre G2 Al Fahidi Fort, and will saddle both Grade I winner Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and dual winner Majestic Pride (GB) (Shamardal) in the 12-horse field. Successful in the Summer S. in Canada as a juvenile, the 4-year-old won for the first time since with a four-length drubbing of his foes in a local handicap over this distance on Jan. 19 and is returning just one week later.

Already a winner of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) ran fifth to Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 1 going the Fort trip and makes his first start back on Friday.

“He's settled in really well to Dubai again,” said Marine Henry, wife and assistant to trainer Nicholas Caullery. “He's worked a few times on the racetrack and worked well. This isn't a main objective for him–we're not expecting him to win–but we're hoping to run well.”

Shadwell's Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) stunned the G1 Al Quoz Sprint field at 33-1 last March, and he was a narrow second to the re-opposing Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) in the Listed Business Bay Challenge warming up for this on Dec. 22.

House Eyeing Blue Point Sprint

Sailing into the 1000-metre G2 Blue Point Sprint Presented by Longines over the Meydan straight course on a two-race winning streak, Mehmas (Ire)'s Clarendon House (GB) will be attempting to negotiate the hike between handicap and stakes company.

“If he can transfer what he did on the all-weather to grass, then I think it will suit him very well,” said trainer Robert Cowell, who struck at the Carnival in 2012 with Monsieur Joe (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}). “I think the fast ground and plenty of pace will be ideal, it's whether he's good enough to bridge this gap between handicaps and stakes races.”

Of his rivals, one of the strongest is Equality (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), who will be attempting softer company after taking the G3 Coral Charge S. in June for trainer Charlie Hills, but failing to hit the mark against several of the best sprinters in Europe later in the year.

“On ratings, he should be right up there, but it is his first run after a break and he's probably fit enough to do himself justice but whether he'll be quite 100% is another matter,” said Sam Hoskins, syndicate manager for owner Kennet Valley.

The lightly raced listed winner Star Of Mystery (GB), second in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. during her six-start career, defeated GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint third Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) in a Meydan conditions race on Jan. 12. The Godolphin-owned daughter of Kodiac (GB) sneaks into the field carrying only 117 pounds and will leave from gate 11.

Like Father, Like Son In the Guineas?

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa's Asiatic Boy (Arg) took out the 2007 G3 UAE 2000 Guineas in his second local appearance before going on to wallop his Northern Hemisphere counterparts in the G2 UAE Derby two starts later. Seventeen years on, his son Oasis Boy (Arg), a Group 2 winner at home when last spotted July 29 can make his presence felt in Friday's mile event at Meydan.

The other South American entrant is Quartier (Uru) (Matterhorn), who has the benefit of a spin around the racetrack on Jan. 5, when he ran on strongly after missing the kick to finish a good second to the well-regarded Ma Yetal (Flameaway), who sits this one out. Both South American-breds must give 10 pounds away to their less-mature rivals.

Killer Collect (Collected) makes his 3-year-old debut in the Guineas, having thrashed a field of maidens by 7 1/2 lengths over course and distance Dec. 8, while Military Artist (Munnings) races for the third time in four weeks, having most recently annexed a 1600-metre novice Jan. 12.

A Moat By Any Other Name

Friday's 1600-metre G3 Firebreak S. features 10 runners, and it is the progressive G3 Prix du Palais-Royal winner Fort Payne (Fr) (Rio De La Plata) who is one of the leading fancies. The Firebreak is not without its challenges, however, as it is his first start on dirt, and his first appearance at Meydan after a career in France.

“It's his first time on the dirt but he did well on the Polytrack at home,” said Marine Henry of the G3 Prix du Pin seventh, who is, like the aforementioned King Gold, trained by her husband Nicolas Caullery.

A veteran of the desert is Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan), who secured a popular handicap victory at the ripe age of 10 over 1400 metres here on Jan. 12. Regular reinsman Adrie de Vries has the call, with the duo slotted midfield in gate six.

Al Shindagha River's For The Taking?

Bob Baffert has saddled Laurel River (Into Mischief) four times, with three wins to show from those Southern California efforts. However, the GII Pat O'Brien S. hero last graced a racecourse at Del Mar in August of 2022, and, despite joining the red-hot Bhupat Seemar barn in October, must overcome any ring-rustiness due to almost 17 months on the bench in Friday's G3 Al Shindagha Sprint.

“He is doing really well,” said Seemar of the Grade II winner. “This looks a good place to start him as he hasn't run for a while.”

The Juddmonte runner's task is not straightforward, with several rivals more battle-hardened in recent weeks. Chief among them is Colour Up (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who hails from the Doug Watson stable. The 2023 Listed Garhoud Sprint hero was an encouraging third in the G3 Dubawi S. on Jan. 5.

More Black-Type Glory For Siskany?

The evening's nightcap is the Listed Al Khail Trophy Presented by Longines over 2810 metres on grass, and Godolphin's trio is anchored by the well-traveled Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for trainer Charlie Appleby. Second to Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at the end of March, the gelding claimed the GII Belmont Gold Cup S. in the U.S. two starts later in June, and could not quite catch India (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) when third in the G1 Preis von Europa in September. He ran fifth as the favourite after being outfooted in the GII Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. on the dirt at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 and is looking for redemption in Friday's contest.

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Jebel Hatta A Means To An End For Real World

by Alan Carasso, Emma Berry, Brian Sheerin & Heather Anderson

Runner-up to Cartier Horse of the Year Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in last year's G1 Lockinge S. and G1 Queen Anne S., Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) makes his first trip to the races in nearly nine months verus 14 rivals–including four others from Godolphin–in Saturday's G1 Jebel Hatta S. at Meydan Racecourse. The race, part of Super Saturday which is a World Pool event, is the final lead-up test prior to the G1 Dubai Turf in three weeks' time.

Real World defeated Shadwell's Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G2 Zabeel Mile over this turf course last January, but never lifted a hoof on the dirt in the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai World Cup. He acquitted himself nicely in those two subsequent efforts over a mile on turf back in England, but is unraced since and trainer Saaed bin Suroor feels there will be some ring-rustiness come Saturday.

“When he comes back for the race he will be at 80 or 85%, but he will need the race to improve from it,” bin Suroor told PA Sport. “We've given him a lot of time but he's back now, in training and working well.”

There are no delusions of grandeur this time round, as the Dubai Turf is next on the dance card assuming all goes well at the weekend. “That's the target for him, he will hopefully come on to be just right for that,” he said.

Real World has also been gelded since his last run and bin Suroor sees that as a positive. “He's more relaxed than before and I hope it will also improve him in the future,” the trainer said.

In the absence of Real World, Alfareeq ran out a 1 1/4-length winner of last year's Jebel Hatta before finishing seventh in the Dubai Turf. The 6-year-old has finished second in each of his three outings during the current season, including a narrow defeat at the hooves of Godolphin's in-form Valiant Prince (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the course-and-distance G2 Singspiel S. Feb. 3.

I Am Superman (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) nearly won the G1 Rupert Clarke S. over 1400 metres at Caulfield last September and has hardly been disgraced in two appearances at the Carnival, finishing third to the 'Boys in Blue's Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Jan. 20 Zabeel Mile and fourth in listed company over seven furlongs Feb. 10.

Hong Kong-based Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) adds a bit of international flavour to Super Saturday. Last-out winner of the Listed H H The Amir Trophy in Qatar, the Douglas Whyte-trainee shortens up in trip for the Jebel Hatta before stretching back out on World Cup night.

“This weekend's race is not the main goal,” the South African said. “Obviously, our main goal is the Sheema Classic but I wanted him to go around this weekend, have a look at the track and hopefully be competitive but I can't see him winning a race like that–it's purely a stepping stone for the Sheema Classic.”

 

Bendoog May Be Up To the 'Challenge'

Saturday's G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 lost some of its lustre earlier in the week when defending champion Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was withdrawn, leaving a field of 10 chasing Group 1 glory over the Dubai World Cup distance of 2000 metres.

Trainer Bhupat Seemar seeks a first win in the race and will be represented by no fewer than four runners. Of those, Bendoog (Gun Runner) would appear to have the greatest upside and brings consistent form to the table. The scopey colt, a pacesetting fourth in last year's G2 UAE Derby on World Cup night, has amassed a record of 1-2-1 in four starts since the racing season in the Emirates kicked off last November. After besting Quality Humor (Distorted Humor) in a rated conditions test over a mile on Dec. 1, the bay was runner-up in listed company three weeks later and followed that with a third behind Salute the Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) and Atletico El Culano (Uru) (Alcorano {Brz}) in a course-and-distance test Jan. 13. Bendoog exits a distant second to top World Cup chance Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Feb. 3, but needs to prove he can see out this trip.

“He's a forward-going horse with a good draw, so hopefully he'll get a good break,” Seemar said.

Stablemate Kafoo (Curlin), fourth to Hypothetical in this event last term, was well below his best when a well-beaten 10th to Algiers in the Maktoum Challenge R1 going the 1600 metres Jan. 6, but hinted there might be better to come when staying on well up the rise to be fourth in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last time on Feb. 11.

Salute the Soldier, who won this race by 5 1/2 lengths in 2021, could not build on his conditions success, as he finished better than 11 lengths behind Algiers in Round 2. He is capable of better for trainer Fawzi Nass and will need it to be a factor.

“Last time he stumbled coming out of the gate, overreached and pulled a shoe,” explained jockey Adrie de Vries. “That cost him his position early on and he was at the back of the field and got a lot of dirt, which he doesn't really like. You can forget about that run.” –Alan Carasso

 

Rebel a Lost Cause as Kemari Steps Up

The defection of Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) knocked a huge dent in the line-up for the G2 Dubai City of Gold with the dual Group/Grade 1 winner having looked the stand-out on class. His absence still leaves Godolphin with four runners, led by Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was last seen running fourth in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

“Getting that run under his belt has done him good,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “He ran well behind Rebel's Romance over this distance a couple of times last season and should be a player.”

The Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Global Heat (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}) has had an active winter in Dubai with victory over 1m6f in the Listed Al Khail Trophy and drops back in trip for this race, in which another Appleby contender, Global Storm (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was third last year and reappears for the first time since September.

Outside the Godolphin quartet, which is completed by White Wolf (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the most credible challenger looks to be the Caspar Fownes-trained Senor Toba (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}), a dual Group 3 winner in Hong Kong. The second of those wins came as recently as Feb 5 before the 5-year-old shipped to Qatar for the HH The Amir Trophy a fortnight later, in which he was seventh in a decent field.

Away He Goes (Ire) (Farhh {GB}), whose lifetime best came when he ran second to Trueshan (Fr) in the 2021 Goodwood Cup, was runner-up to Global Heat back in January and has since been fifth in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy. –Emma Berry

 

Al Dasim Aiming for Five-Timer

Plenty of contenders bring good recent form into the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, with 3-year-old Al Dasim (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) lining up on the back of four straight wins for George Boughey, including two over this trip at Meydan.

Gordon Elliott's attention will be focussed on the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival but he could well be provided with another winter warmer by the dual listed winner Coachello (Fr) (Dunkerque {Fr}). The 5-year-old had the measure of Godolphin's City Walk (Ire) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) when they met in January but the latter has since bounced back to win over course and distance.

Miqyaas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) snared the G2 Blue Point Sprint over five furlongs last month but he has also been effective over six and can't be ruled out, while Acklam Express (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) returns in an attempt to improve on his seventh-place finish in this race last year after two decent efforts over a shorter trip so far this carnival. –Emma Berry

 

Wide Open Burj Nahaar

There are three Group 3s on the card, the first of which is the Burj Nahaar Sponsored By Smirates Skywards, where last year's winner Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), trained by Ahmad Al Shemaili, defends his crown.

His rider Adrie De Vries said that Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will need to be at his best to make it back-to-back wins.

“Desert Wisdom hasn't been the same horse as last year,” he said. “Last time he was ridden quite positively after a bad start and when I rode him first time out he didn't get a good run as well.”

He added, “Back at a mile, I wouldn't count him out. I haven't galloped him but I see him in the mornings and he looks really good in his coat. I was very lucky with him last year, with draws, and a nice run along the inside, so that is what I'm going to look for again.”

Desert Wisdom's rivals include 2021 G2 Godolphin Mile winner Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), the mount of Tadhg O'Shea, while Doug Watson sends out three–Everfast (Take Charge Indy), Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) and Fanaar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who beat Secret Ambition in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last time out. –Brian Sheerin

 

Seemar Has Three Chances In Mahab Al Shimaal

Trainer Bhupat Seemar will saddle a trio of runners in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal Sponsored By Emirates Skycargo on Super Saturday. Leading the charge in the $250,000 1200-metre contest for the trainer is Dakki Stable's Tuz (Oxbow), who defeated Isolate (Mark Valeski) by three lengths after leaving from the one post in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint on Feb. 3.

“Tuz was very impressive in his last run, but he was drawn very favourably, in one,” said Bhupat Seemar, who has also entered RRR Racing's Sound Money (Flatter) and Al Rashid Stables, LLC's winning Western Symphony (Ire) (Shamardal). “He's drawn 10 this time, but he has plenty of early speed, which is his asset. He might have to go fast and furious from 10 but this would be the plan.”

Added Seemar of Sound Money, who was placed in the GIII Westchester S. and GII True North S. in consecutive starts Stateside for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown and is making his Meydan debut, ” He stays a bit further but he has plenty of class and speed so he should not be far off in a six furlong [1200metre] race.”

Also sporting the black and orange silks of RRR Racing is the aforementioned Isolate, who is a dual stakes winner and took third in the 2020 GIII Nashua S. The 5-year-old was previously trained by Tom Amoss for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing.

Sayed Hashish's Colour Up (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) has already won three of his six starts in the Emirates, and he enters off a runaway win in a track-and-trip handicap on Feb. 24. The Doug Watson trainee has been assigned post five. –Heather Anderson

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