Tag: Godolphin

Lazuli Aims For Blue Point Sprint Double

The 2022 G2 Blue Point Sprint hero Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is back to defend his title for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby over this minimum trip on grass. Worth $180,000, the Blue Point is the 6-year-old gelding's second run of the season after defeating Man Of Promise (Into Mischief) in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash on opening day of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

“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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Top Industry Judges Have Their Say On The First-Season Sires

It's early-February and already the Flat enthusiasts are getting excited about what stallion will end the season as champion first-season sire. A futile exercise, one would have thought? Not a bit of it.

Even the greatest handlers of young stock, Malcolm Bastard, Alan McCabe, Joseph O'Brien, Conor Hoban and Dick Brabazon, men who know better than most the folly that comes with predicting 2-year-old talent, are keen to have their say on which up-and-coming stallion can make the biggest splash this season. 

O'Brien is sticking loyal to Ten Sovereigns (Ire) in his prediction for first-season sire championship honours while Bastard, who broke and pre-trained Too Darn Hot (GB), has reported striking similarities between the unbeaten champion 2-year-old and his stock.

Meanwhile, Dick Brabazon, one of the finest horsemen in Ireland who has had Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) and Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) through his Curragh base, has taken a swing on Study Of Man (Ire) to come up trumps with a top-notcher.

Welcome to this year's earliest predictions to what the next Mehmas (Ire), Cotai Glory (GB) or Havana Grey (GB) will be. Each opinion is right until proven otherwise and, for starters, Bastard, McCabe and Hoban are in agreement that the bookmakers have found the right favourite in Blue Point (Ire), priced up as a general 5-2 market leader by most firms.

McCabe, who pre-trains for Rabbah Bloodstock, Simon Crisford and Charlie Appleby among others, is particularly keen on Blue Point's stock and said, “I think he will make a big splash. I think that bookmarkers are barking up the same tree as I am with Blue Point as I think he will go well in the first-season sire championship. In fact, there was a very smart Blue Point colt I was dealing with, and he's gone into Simon Crisford's. He was the smartest Blue Point I had and, if he is not winning up at the July Course at Newmarket, I'd be very surprised.”

Bastard agrees.

Malcolm Bastard | Racingfotos.com

He said, “We have six or seven Blue Points and they are nice solid horses who are very good in their minds. They all have nice action about them. They are only just cantering away nicely at this time of year, so it is difficult to say, but the Too Darn Hots and the Blue Points stand out a little bit at the moment. The Blue Points are definitely not early horses, not ours anyway.”

But it's the Too Darn Hots who have set the temperature at Bastard's Wiltshire operation with the renowned handler of young stock particularly impressed by the progeny of the young sire.

“I have about a dozen Too Darn Hots and they are very similar to him. From day one, he cantered like an old pro–he was a beautiful-moving colt–and his progeny seem to be the very same. I think they will be late summer horses, if not autumn horses, like he was. They will be seven furlongs plus and they are not going to be sprinters so he's probably priced right [at 14-1]. You'd expect him to have a really good number of winners by the end of the season and quality horses out of that number as well.”

Hoban may be one of the newest names on the Irish scene but he has made a major impact already. The professional jockey has had two Classic winners, Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}), through his hands and has built up an impressive portfolio working with Barnane Stud, Yulong Investments, Johnny Murtagh, Eddie Lynam, Jessica Harrington and Paddy Twomey.

Along with the progeny of Blue Point, Hoban nominated Invincible Army (Ire) to throw down an early marker this spring, and said, “I have a very nice Invincible Army colt. He'll be going to one of the breeze-up sales and he seems to be doing everything well. He's the only Invincible Army I have but I'd be keen to recruit more of them at the sales as everything about him is promising. He just has a lovely way of going and nothing seems to phase him. I'm very interested in the sire.”

Hoban added, “I don't have a Ten Sovereigns but there seems to be a bit of chat about them, which is interesting, and the couple of Blue Points that I have are really nice. They are forward-going, are strong and seem to have good minds. I've had a couple of Phoenix Of Spain (Ire)s as well and, while they won't be that precocious, they are well-balanced horses who have great attitudes. They will be more for the second half of the year.”

One man who has his fair share of Ten Sovereigns to work with is O'Brien and he likes what he sees.

“It's early days, obviously, but we've been lucky enough to have accumulated quite a few by Ten Sovereigns and we really like what we are seeing from them,” the trainer said.

McCabe has the biggest sample size to choose from given he has broken in the best part of 100 yearlings to go into training for this year and, while he admits a certain amount of luck is needed for a stallion to break through, he identified a broad spectrum of young sires whose stock has impressed him.

Blue Point: favourite for the first-season sire championship | Racingfotos.com

He said, “I'd be very keen on the Masar (Ire)s and the Too Darn Hots as well. The Blue Points are a sharp bunch and they look as though they will be 2-year-old types and the Too Darn Hots are just beautiful horses. They are lovely to deal with and are all very good-looking horses. We like them a lot.

“The Masars are very similar to the first Night Of Thunder (Ire)s. They're very honest horses and I'd imagine he will be pretty successful. Masar won over seven furlongs as a 2-year-old and was no slouch. He'd a great constitution as a racehorse and, like Night Of Thunder, they come in all different shapes and sizes. They seem to have good minds and are easy to work with.

“I only had one Magna Grecia (Ire) colt but I liked him a lot. He looked like he would be a runner. I have a little filly by Intrinsic (GB) and she goes very well. Intrinsic won a Stewards Cup and his trainer Robert Cowell said that, if he didn't get injured, he'd definitely have been a group horse. He's only had a handful of runners and he's had winners, with one of them [Intrinsic Bond (GB)] achieving an RPR of 101 so he may not be a bad sire at all. I know he's not a first-season sire but we've a lovely Kodi Bear (Ire) as well and I'd be a fan of him as a sire.”

On the championship as a whole, he added, “I used to ride Kheleyf and nobody would have predicted he'd have done what he did at stud. You get horses who you think will do well at stud and they don't do it for whatever reason and then you get others who you think will be basement level and they come up with the goods. It's very hard to predict but, if I was a betting man, I'd be rowing in behind Blue Point to get rocking and rolling early. You need a lot of luck.”

One stallion who is a longer shot at ending the year as the champion first-season sire is Study Of Man but, for different reasons, the stock of the impeccably-bred French Derby winner has impressed Brabazon.

He explained, “We deal more with the owner-breeder type of horse, the one that will be slower to mature, but still, when I go through my list, we've got a nice filly by Magna Grecia and another by Phoenix Of Spain. But if I was to nominate one sire that I am particularly interested in the progeny of, it would have to be Study Of Man, as the two that we have by him are very athletic, hardy and tough types. He could be a very interesting sire and it would be great if Deep Impact (Jpn) had a major influence over here given what he achieved in Japan. He's a horse I will follow with great interest this year. His granddam is Miesque so it is one hell of a pedigree. Saxon Warrior (Jpn) has got going in Ireland so it will be really interesting to see how Study Of Man gets on. Now, it's only February, and I might be talking nonsense at this early stage in the year, but these two Study Of Man fillies have really caught our eye.

“We've only just started out on the Curragh gallops with our 2-year-olds now. I am beside the Old Vic gallop and we've only just started with the colts cantering up the Old Vic now. We'll get the fillies going now soon. It's all about education for me. I am not the trainer, so I let the trainer train them and I only educate them. I am always shouting at the riders to remember they are only babies. Sometimes they start scooting around on them if they start showing a bit but I always try to mind them and turn the horses into a career horse for their owners. I am not going to win any Brocklesbys, I am afraid! I have accepted that at this stage in my life. My aim is for the horse to last. I just lay the foundation for the trainers and then follow the horses' careers with great interest.”

He added, “The riders are so important. Tim Carroll is my main rider and he's just super. He just has a natural feel for a horse and can tell exactly how well each horse is going. If he says this is nice, I take note of what he says. He has picked a few already and he is a fan of the Study Of Mans. They don't all go on the right way but you'd have a fair idea at this stage.”

Similarly, Bastard has seen enough from the progeny of Land Force (Ire), Inns Of Court (Ire) and Ten Sovereigns to suggest that their 2-year-olds can achieve good things on the track this season.

He concluded, “We've had a few Land Forces and they've been quite nice to deal with as well. They've got a bit of size and scope about them and plenty of strength. They have good bone, are nice in their minds and are quite forward-going and they look okay. He might be a bit of a surprise package. He could do well. Inns Of Court is another worth mentioning. I must say, we only had one by Inns Of Court, but he was very nice and I expect him to do very well. We have a few by Ten Sovereigns, who go well but, again, the ones we have seem as though they will want a bit of time. There is nothing really early amongst them but they are nice horses. They are quite scopey.”

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Maintaining The Advantage After A Flying Start

Not many things last for 20 years these days. We live in a fast world, filled with quick fixes, often with little thought for longevity and sustainability. But still, there is great comfort to be found in a constant that stands up to the vagaries of time.

One such example, which has steadfastly served our own industry for the past two decades is Godolphin Flying Start; the two-year scholarship which, every year, fully immerses 12 young enthusiasts into the Thoroughbred world on a global scale with the aim of creating future leaders who will, one day, bring the sport forward through best practice innovation and change.

Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary year, the true impact that the programme has had on the game is beginning to shine through. And central to its success and durability is Executive Director of Godolphin Flying Start, Clodagh Kavanagh, whose firm but fair leadership style has also stood the test of time.

It is a firmness that earns the respect required to ensure that 24 trainees–often located on opposite sides of the world–will always turn up to work on time and (nearly) never miss an assignment deadline. Coupled with a fairness that can read a situation from 1000 miles away and invariably find the best solution.

With a tendency to be always looking forward, rather than back, Kavanagh recently took time to reflect on what has become an institution over the past 20 years.

“The concept for Godolphin Flying Start stemmed from the idea that great leaders can come from anywhere, with any type of background and training,” she says. “To ensure the longevity and sustainability of horseracing and for it to hold its place in the world of sport and business, we needed a conduit for people from all over the globe, with an interest in the sport to learn and experience it on a global scale, whilst being equipped with the leadership and management skills to become future Thoroughbred industry leaders.

“Diversity was always a key part of the plan too and it was essential for its success that we find people from different parts of the world who were passionate about the sport, no matter what their background or whether they came from a racing nation. Creating a vehicle for these individuals to learn and bring horseracing forward through strong leadership was what it set out to achieve.”

Fast-forward to the present day and it would seem that initial plans for Godolphin Flying Start have held strong. There are now over 200 graduates from 20 nations, 50% of whom are leading various sectors of the industry as CEOs, managers, business owners, directors and entrepreneurs.

On the subject of whether the programme has achieved what it set out to, Kavanagh says, “It probably took 10 years to see if it was achieving some success in terms of leadership. Because it's a two-year course, the earliest graduates would have been seven or eight years out of the programme by that stage and they needed that amount of time to achieve career success and be in positions where they had the confidence and influence to lead.

“So, I think it took 10 years to test whether it was starting to work, and I think after 20 years we can definitely say that we have attracted a very diverse group of people; that the programme has given them the training and opportunities required to achieve personal success and begin leading the industry through voluntary positions and developing new initiatives.”

When it comes to this success, Kavanagh is quick to deflect praise onto others, whether that be an extremely engaged board of trustees, the generous and steadfast sponsorship from Godolphin, or the numerous partners involved with providing lectures, externships and a deeper understanding of the industry from a practical perspective.

It is true that without the support of a great number of people, Godolphin Flying Start would never have lasted or thrived for as long as it has, but a huge part of its longevity has also been down to its ability to adapt.

The nuts and bolts of it have remained the same. It has always been five countries over two years and essentially Godolphin-based and -sponsored, but it is in its nuances that it has adapted in the last 20 years, crucially upholding its relevance in an ever-changing world.

“In terms of adapting and changing,” says Kavanagh, “I think there are probably three key elements. One is that generations change and their expectations and their needs change, so something like introducing a wellbeing module in recent years has been important.

“Secondly, the world has changed around horseracing and Godolphin Flying Start, particularly with technology and communications. It has been essential for us to keep up with other industries in this area and it is something we have invested a lot into, be that through our online platform, using Zoom for meetings or creating an online rather than paper application process.

“Finally, from an industry perspective, the development of partnerships with leading stud farms and trainers all over the world for practical experience and externships has helped to bring the course forward enormously. That's been one of the biggest changes since the start.”

Of all the challenges presented over the years–not least maintaining control of two-dozen twenty-somethings on different sides of the planet–Kavanagh cites maintaining high standards to be the toughest.

“Godolphin Flying Start has set visions and values for itself and its trainees which is a constant stretch for myself and the people that work on the programme,” she notes. “We strive to be the best education and training from a personal development and professional development perspective. To be the best in the world, not just the best in horseracing but the best in the world.”

Not one to dwell on her own achievements, when asked of what she is most proud, Kavanagh is keen to shift the focus.

“I'm very proud of the resilience and the innovation to be able to not just survive but to continuously improve and adapt over 20 years and maintain the level of applications,” she says. “Just to still be here after 20 years is an achievement in itself. However, there's no doubt that the thing I am most proud of are the graduates and their achievements. In particular the Alumni Award winners in recent years.”

The Alumni Awards, to which Kavanagh refers, have been in existence since 2015. They are voted for by peers to reward graduates that have shown “Business Excellence” or “Leadership Excellence” in their careers thus far. The winners–to name only a few–include director of the Irish National Stud, Cathal Beale; Vicky Leonard, whose Kick Collective is shaking up marketing in the Southern Hemisphere; Henry Field, managing director of Newgate Farm which is home to 13 stallions; and Classic-winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

It is through this, now vast, network of alumni that the legacy of Godolphin Flying Start will live on, far longer than its initial 20 years.

As Kavanagh explains, “An effective alumni network really has two functions. It is the connection and support for the alma mater whereby graduates are actively still involved with the programme through providing lectures, visits, mentoring and even employing other graduates. The other job of the alumni network is the creation of a community whereby they are there to support and challenge each other, to do business together and share experiences and information.”

Attendance at any international bloodstock sale provides evidence of the Godolphin Flying Start alumni network in action. Be they consignors, agents, trainers, stallion managers, media or sales company staff, there is invariably a huge melting pot of those coming together to do business.

But the benefit of this network now goes far beyond just business relationships. With the privilege of shared unique experiences comes with it strong common ground, forming the basis for great friendships. Away from the sales toppers or group winners, many of life's other big milestones have been celebrated and among a spider's web of connections will be best friends, confidants, housemates, husbands, wives, parents and godparents.

The opportunity to look back and celebrate all that Godolphin Flying Start has accomplished in its two decades will take place at the 20th Anniversary Conference in Ireland on June 29, a date nestled smartly in the calendar between Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby.

“I think that we'll have a hundred alumni at the conference, which would be the greatest gathering of graduates ever,” Kavanagh says. “I expect that there will be an amazing dynamic and energy in the room because from my experience of running the other conferences–of which there have been four–the camaraderie, conversation and business that goes on, not necessarily facilitated by the conference itself, is just amazing.”

The theme of the event will be around business and leadership, with a presence of CEOs and entrepreneurs who have disrupted or created change in their own business sectors. The 2023 Alumni Awards will then be presented before a gala dinner.

Kavanagh adds, “It will be an opportunity to cement friendships, make new friends, do business, come up with ideas and continue professional development. But mostly it will be a great celebration and a time to show appreciation for the opportunity that everyone involved in Godolphin Flying Start has benefitted from. It will be a tribute to the legacy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to the industry.”

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Algiers Aims At Al Maktoum Challenge Double

Only four horses in the history of the Dubai World Cup Carnival have managed to win the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge in the same year, with the last of the four, North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), completing the double in 2019. Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi's Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) could be number five, as he leaves from stall eight under James Doyle in Friday's G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Presented By Emaar.

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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