Tag: G3 UAE Oaks

Star Guitar’s TDN Rising Star Manama Gold Remains Unbeaten in UAE Oaks

'TDN Rising Star' MANAMA GOLD (f, 3, Star Guitar–Charged Cotton, Dehere) remained perfect with a 1 1/4-length tally in the AED700,000 G3 UAE Oaks over the closing Mizzyaan (Justify) at Meydan Racecourse on Friday. It was the first stakes win for the chestnut, who covered the 1900-metre trip in 2:00.81.

In charge from the bell, as none of her five rivals seemed overly interested in picking up the baton, Manama Gold was always going along at an easy clip while staying fairly close to the rail past the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch. Mizzyaan kept a close eye on the Fawzi Nass trainee the whole way around from second just off Manama Gold's girth, and Lighting Paradise (Congrats) saved every inch of ground in third. Once the real running began, Manama Gold did not open up as readily as in her past two trips to the post, but she still managed to come home without ever being headed, albeit the winning margin was smaller. Adrie de Vries took care with his filly, and did not ask too much of her to secure the victory. Lightning Paradise threatened to take over the place position down the lane, but Mizzyaan found another gear and fought her off to retain second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of that foe.

A winner of her Meydan debut going 1400 metres on Dec. 12, Manama Gold extended the margin to 9 1/4 in a 1600-metre conditions race where she earned her 'TDN Rising Star badge.

Pedigree Notes

The 15 stakes winner and second Pattern winner for her Louisiana-based sire, Manama Gold is the second stakes winner for her dam, Charged Cotton. Star Guitar was previously represented by GII Honorable Miss H. heroine Minit To Stardom.

She is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Sethamee Street (Street Sense), and a full-sister to multiple stakes winner Ova Charged (Star Guitar), who was second in Belmont's GIII Victory Ride S. A stakes winner at Laurel, Charged Cotton visited Not This time in 2022, and the result was a yearling filly. She was barren to the cover of Star Guitar for this year.

GI Philip H. Iselin H. and GI Jerome H. hero Schossberg (Broad Brush) is under the third dam.

Sales history: $100,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, AED726,000.
O-Victorious. B-Brittlyn, Inc. (LA). T-Fawzi Nass. *1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN.

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Appleby Aiming For Consecutive Singspiels At Meydan

The AED850,000 1800-metre G2 Singspiel S. presented by Longines is the headliner among five stakes races on Meydan's nine-race Friday card.

Godolphin runs three from the Charlie Appleby yard, and the reinvigorated Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is coming into the race off two consecutive seconds in the December's G2 Al Rashidia and January's G1 Jebel Hatta to stablemate Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}). He is joined by multiple stakes winner Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“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.”

Jamie Osborne is enjoying a fruitful winter in the Middle East with his runners, and he sends out Sean (Ger) (Excelebration {Ire}) to improve one spot after a second to Warren Point (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. on Feb. 2.

“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.”

 

Care To Dance?

Only seven fillies signed on to Friday's AED850,000 1800-metre G2 Balanchine Presented by Longines on grass, and Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby will saddle three of the septet. William Buick has elected to ride the four-for-five Sapphire Seas (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

A listed winner at Yarmouth in September, the daughter of Pure Diamond (GB) (Street Cry {Ire})'s only blip on an otherwise perfect resume was a fourth-place finish at first asking. Her paternal half-sister English Rose (Ire) has wins on both the grass and all-weather, but her unbeaten run was derailed with a runner-up performance to stablemate Silver Lady (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G2 Cape Verdi over 1600 metres on this course on Jan. 19.

“Sapphire Seas looks the filly they all have to beat,” Appleby, who has won the race five times commented. “She was a good winner of a listed race on her latest start. It's her first appearance of the year but 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.”

Hugo Palmer trainee Stenton Glider (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) will aim to improve two spots after running third in the Cape Verdi. Runner-up in a pair of group races earlier in her career, the 4-year-old leaves from gate three with Jim Crowley at the controls.

“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.”

 

Oaks Laurels & Derby Pointer In The Offing

The central pillar of the AED700,000 G3 UAE Oaks on Friday is the two-for-two Manama Gold (Star Guitar). After a trial at Meydan in November, she trotted out a 2 1/2-length winner of the Storm Coaster conditions race in December, prior to a 9 1/4-length tour-de-force in the Cocoa Beach S. over 1600 metres on Jan. 19. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' that day, the Victorious runner towers over her rivals in this 1900-metre affair for trainer Fawzi Nass.

“She's very exciting,” said jockey Adrie de Vries. “She's still improving and developing and came out of her last race really good. She's got a long stride and she's very relaxed, so I'm not concerned about [the distance] at all.”

The rest of the field has already been defeated by the golden chestnut at least once, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's Mizzyaan (Justify) was fourth in that January contest, her only start to date. However, if she continues to progress in the manner of her famous Triple Crown-winning sire, she could be a danger.

Classic-bound males get their chance in the Listed Al Bastakiya Presented by Longines, a prep for the G2 UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night at the end of March. Bhupat Seemar trainee Falcon Of Arabia (Speightstown) is aiming to protect his perfect record in the 1900-metre test over the Meydan dirt, but a pair of South American colts could make his life difficult. Haras Bage Do Sul's Quartier (Uru) (Matterhorn) has won half of his eight starts and was third in the G2 UAE 2000 Guineas, two better that the re-opposing Oasis Boy (Arg) (Asiatic Boy {Arg}) in fifth in January.

 

A Chance At History?

No horse has ever won the AED700,000 2810-metre G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy Presented by Longines more than once, and on Friday, Godolphin's Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is aiming to be the first from a rail draw. He won the Listed Al Khail Trophy over this trip on Jan. 26.

“Siskany came out of the Al Khail Trophy well and his record around Meydan speaks for itself,” said Appleby of last year's G2 Dubai Gold Cup second. “We are hoping that he can produce another strong performance and book his ticket for the Dubai Gold Cup.”

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City Of Light’s ‘Mimi’ Crowned Queen In The UAE Oaks

  A winner of the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas when last seen, MIMI KAKUSHI (City Of Light-Rite Moment, by Vicar) turned in a game effort to wear down California shipper Ami Please (Goldencents) and win the G3 UAE Oaks by 1 1/4 lengths at Meydan on Friday. She is the eighth filly to complete the Guineas/Oaks double, and first since subsequent American graded winner Shahama (Munnings) in 2022, who was also trained by Salem bin Ghadayer.

Racing for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the bay stalked from second as Ami Please crossed over to lead heading into the clubhouse turn. Rival Asawer (Nyquist), fourth in the UAE 1000 Guineas, exchanged some bumps with Mimi Kakushi on the backstretch as they chased the pacesetter. By the far turn, it was a line of three with Mimi Kakushi sandwiched between foes, but pilot Mickael Barzalona did not panic in the tight quarters, which began to ease as Asawer faded leaving the bend.

Mimi Kakushi locked horns with Ami Please at the quarter-pole, and the pair battled hammer and tongs until midstretch. At the 150-metre mark, Mimi Kakushi inched ahead of Ami Please, and eventually crossed the wire about a length to the good of that filly. Asawer hung on for third, a distant four lengths back.

Fourth in her first two local tries in November and December, the Woodford Thoroughbreds-bred graduated by two lengths over Asawer in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial on Dec. 23. She increased her winning margin to 4 1/2 lengths in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas on Jan. 20.

Pedigree Notes

The first graded/group winner for her Breeders' Cup-winning sire who stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky, Mimi Kakushi is one of four stakes winners overall. City Of Light's eldest foals just turned three. Wild Again stallion Vicar, a winner of the GI Fountain Of Youth S. and GI Florida Derby in 1999, has sired 15 stakes winners as a broodmare sire, with Mimi Kakushi joining Vicar's In Trouble (Into Mischief) and Sandbar (War Pass) as graded/group winners.

A $180,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select yearling turned $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile (breeze video), Mimi Kakushi is a half-sister to three-time stakes winner Moment Is Right (Medaglia d'Oro), and the stakes-winning Laudation (Congrats). Her dam, who won both the Bed o' Roses H. and Distaff H. at Aqueduct at Grade II level, has a yearling filly by Cajun Breeze. Her 2023 offspring, by Khozan, was born dead. Sales history: $180,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $250,000 2yo '22 FTIMAY. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0.

O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY). T-Salem bin Ghadayer.

 

 

 

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Nations Pride Friday’s DWCC Headliner

The Dubai World Cup Carnival adds its own footnote to the study of flags, known as vexillology for the more serious, since its intent is to draw horses from all over the world. As the meet continues to march towards its big night in late March, another Friday of racing arrives with a trio of Group 3 events.

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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