Meydan | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Warrior’ Takes Aim at Al Maktoum Challenge R2

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's Dubai Warrior (GB) (Dansili {GB}) has shown an affinity for the all-weather surface–having recorded six career victories over the surface–and will attempt to translate that form to the dirt in Thursday's G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 at Meydan. Kicking off 2020 with a win in Lingfield's G3 Winter Derby S. on the all-weather in February, the John Gosden trainee finished fifth in Sandown's Listed Coral Gala S. over the summer before returning with a comfortable score in the Nov. 14 Listed Churchill S. at Lingfield. In his latest trip to post, he finished third behind Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who won the Listed Winter Derby Trial S. last weekend. Frankie Dettori, who has won a record five editions of the race, has the mount for the 5-year-old's seasonal debut.

“He has been pleasing in his work and works nicely enough on the dirt,” said Gosden. “Obviously, a race is a different matter, so we will find out if he handles it Thursday.”

Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan) rounded out 2020 with a comfortable victory in Meydan's Listed Dubai Creek Mile Dec. 17 and returned in the new year with a runner-up finish in the Jan. 21 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1. Trained by Doug Watson, the Zaur Sekrekov-owned gelding reunites with Pat Cosgrave.

“We have been keen to step him up from 1600 meters, so this is the ideal opportunity,” Watson said. “Obviously, it is a good race to stretch him out. I think it will suit him, but it is a strong race.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's Blown By Wind (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), conditioned by Salem bin Ghadayer, returned from a 3 1/2-month respite to finish third in a Meydan handicap over a mile Jan. 7 and took a step forward off of that to win his latest, the G3 Jebel Ali Mile Jan. 22. The trainer is also represented by Group 3 scorer Capezzano (Bernardini) and listed winner Firnas (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Bin Ghadayer said, “Blown By Wind delighted us at Jebel Ali and has been working well since. Capezzano is also going nicely at home, we just need him to transfer that back to the course.”

He added, “Firnas too is in good shape. He is tough and consistent.”

Also on Thursday's card at Meydan, Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) attempts to follow up on a confident win last time out in the Jan. 21 G2 Singspiel S. in the G2 Al Rashidiya over this course and distance. The winner of the 2019 renewal of the G1 Queen Anne S. finished third in a pair of group tests at York last summer before finishing runner up behind multiple Group 1 winning Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) in Ayr's Listed Doonside Cup S. in September. He concluded the season with a pair of off the board finishes, including a sixth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot in October.

“That was brilliant in the Singspiel; to travel an 8-year-old and win a big prize was just great,” said trainer David O'Meara. “The penalty does not help, but he has remained in great form.”

Godolphin's Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal) annexed the G2 Zabeel Mile over this turf course one year ago before spending much of the ensuing season on the sidelines. Fourth in his return to action in the G2 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Challenge S. at Newmarket Oct. 9, the 5-year-old bounced back to take that course's Listed Ben Marshall S. Oct. 30. This season, he was second behind Lord Glitters in last month's Singspiel and William Buick will try to have the gelding to top the early favorite this time.

“We were obviously pleased with Zakouski's first outing of the year in the Singspiel S., when he produced a good effort,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “He has come on for that run and a slightly improved performance should put him bang there.”

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‘Such A Fighter’: Mouheeb Sets Stakes Record In UAE 2,000 Guineas

Thursday's UAE 2,000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse attracted a select field of just six, but produced a thrilling finish with Mouheeb leading in the dying strides to deny Meshakel who made a gallant effort from the front only to be thwarted. The 3-year-old son of Flatter prevailed by a neck on the wire, setting a stakes record in the process.

“I thought we would be a bit closer than we were, but (jockey) Ryan (Curatolo) rode a great race and the horse ran very well,” said winning trainer Nicholas Bachalard. “We are really happy because it's our first win at Meydan. We thought Zhou Storm would go to the lead (to battle Meshakel), but thankfully our horse ran Meshakel down just at the right time. It would have been a shame to get beaten by a head. We're delighted for the team and for Sheikh Ahmed for believing in us. It hasn't been an easy three years for the stable and now we can pay back some of the trust he had in us. (Mouheeb) still holds an invite for the Saudi Derby, but that's only 16 days, so we'll see how he comes out of the race and go from there.”

Slowly away on both his previous outings, a winning debut over 1200m (six furlongs) at Jebel Ali and just conquered in the UAE 2000 Guineas trial three weeks ago, over the same 1600m (one mile), Mouheeb broke alertly this time.

Settled in third by Curatolo, the Flatter colt was probably five lengths off the eventual runner-up entering the straight with Godolphin's Naval Crown splitting them. That one cried enough in the final 300m, fading into third, when Curatolo had to get very serious with Mouheeb who, as he had done in the trial, responded gamely to gain a gutsy success. They posted the fastest time in the history of the race in the process, 1:36.46. I

t was a first Meydan winner, since taking over at Jebel Ali Stables, for trainer Nicholas Bachalard who, from his previous base in Saudi Arabia, did win the 2017 UAE 1000 Guineas with Nashmiah.

It was a second success from Jebel Ali Stables in this race for the trainer's main patron, Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, following in the hoofprints of Market Rally who landed the prize in 2016 for Dhruba Selvaratnam.

Curatolo, riding his first Meydan winner, said: “This horse is such a fighter and to ride my first winner here in a big race is just brilliant.

“I always thought I could get there in that long straight and, credit to the horse who has really fought hard for me. I think he will stay further so I imagine we will look at the UAE Derby but we can enjoy this first!”

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Flatter Colt Up Late For Guineas Score

Mouheeb (Flatter) was a $400,000 selection at last June's OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds In Training, and started out with plenty of expectation riding on his shoulders being a full-brother to the GII Swale S. scorer and GI Champagne S. and GI Malibu S.-placed Favorable Outcome (Flatter), and a half-brother to the listed-winning and multiple graded placed Bellamentary (Bellamy Road). Mouheeb got off the mark on debut on Dec. 18 in a Jebel Ali maiden before finishing a head second to Godolphin's dual winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on Jan. 14, and went one better in his stakes debut in Thursday's G3 UAE 2000 Guineas. Breaking on the rail under Ryan Curatolo, Mouheeb was content to let Meshakel (Ire) (Shamardal) set the tempo, with Godolphin's top-rated Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire} splitting them. About three lengths separated the trio as they ran into the bend, with Mouheeb poised three wide upon straightening. Mouheeb came with a sustained rally under a drive down the middle of the course, and though he may have given his backers a few anxious moments, he reeled in a game Meshakel in the dying strides to win by a neck. Naval Crown stuck on for third, 6 3/4 lengths clear of the remainder of the field.

Curatolo, who was riding his first winner at Meydan, said, “This win means everything to me, I want to thank god, and the connections. The horse proved that he was the best today. He is a very talented horse, and last time we almost got there. He is a bit inexperienced, but he is getting better with time. The trainer did a very good job with him and his rider in the morning did a good job as well, because he can be quite difficult. Today he was more relaxed before the race, and that was good. This is a super special moment for me tonight, I am very pleased for the people who gave me the opportunity, and hopefully I can maintain that. I think this horse can go a bit longer, and his trainer will see what is best for him.”

Pedigree Notes

Mouheeb is the sixth foal out of the Listed Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies S. winner Shananies Song (Eltish), who had previously produced the aforementioned Favorable Outcome and Bellamentary, and who has a 2-year-old filly by Gun Runner and a yearling son of Candy Ride (Arg).

Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
UAE 2000 GUINEAS SPONSORED BY HAMDAN BIN MOHAMMED CRUISE TERMINAL-G3, $125,000, Meydan, 2-4, 3yo, 8f, 1:36.46, fs.
1–MOUHEEB, 126, c, 3, by Flatter
1st Dam: Shananies Song (SW-US, $158,270), by Eltish
2nd Dam: Shananies Presence, by Shananie
3rd Dam: Presenting, by President (Fr)
1ST STAKES WIN. ($400,000 2yo '20 OBSJUN). O-Sheikh
Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Charles T. Matses (KY);
T-Nicholas Bachalard; J-Ryan Curatolo. $75,000. Lifetime
Record: 3-2-1-0, $96,805. *Full to Favorable Outcome, GSW &
MG1SP-US, $215,059; 1/2 to Bellamentary (Bellamy Road), SW
& MGSP-US, $216,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Meshakel (Ire), 126, c, 3, Shamardal–Mehronissa (GB) by
Iffraaj (GB). (500,000gns Ylg '19 TAOCT). O/T-Salem Rashid
Ghadayer; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE). $25,000.
3–Naval Crown (GB), 126, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Come Alive (GB),
by Dansili (GB). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby.
$12,500.
Margins: NK, 3 3/4, 6 3/4. Also Ran: Grand Dubai (Ire), Zhou Storm (GB), Uncle Hamed.
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.

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Colts Line Up for UAE 2000 Guineas as Carnival Continues at Meydan

The 1800-metre G3 UAE 2000 Guineas is one of two group races on the third card of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and drew a sextet of entries led by Godolphin's Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 104-rated bay, tops for the field, has never been off the board in five starts. Listed-placed at second asking at Ascot in July, the Charlie Appleby trainee graduated by 4 1/2 lengths in a 1400-metre York maiden on Aug. 21. His final two runs of the season were both thirds-in the Sept. 6 G3 Prix la Rochette at ParisLongchamp and when tiring after setting the pace in Saint-Cloud's G3 Prix Thomas Byron on Oct. 2. The 2000 Guineas is his dirt bow.

If the colt won, it would be a third UAE 2000 Guineas for Appleby, who said, “He is a solid little horse and we debated whether to keep him to turf or try the dirt, but his work at home, on dirt, has been very good, so we thought it was worth a crack.”

Next on ratings is Mouheeb (Flatter) from the yard of Nicholas Bachalard at 95. A winner at first asking at Jebel Ali in December, he was runner-up in a one-mile conditions affair locally on Jan. 14, one better than dual Meydan winner Zhou Storm (GB) (Due Diligence).

Bachalard said, “He had a very hard race in the trial, but seems to have come out of that in great shape, so we hope, he has a live chance.”

Also on Thursday is the G3 Firebreak S., which marks the return of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's G1SW Matterhorn (Ire) (Raven's Pass). The 6-year-old entire has progressed steadily through the ranks, and, after running third in this race last year, he stretched out in trip to take the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 by daylight on the front end in March.

Meydan veteran Kimbear (Temple City) receives a slight class break after running eighth in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 on Jan. 21. The 7-year-old Doug Watson charge is a two-time group winner in the UAE after success in the 2018 G3 Burj Nahaar and 2020 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, with the re-opposing Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) second both times.

Watson told the Meydan notes team, “He needed that first run, probably more than we realised, but is training very well and seems in great form. We have put a visor on him so, being drawn one, I guess we will have to be quite positive and go forward.”

The latter, who struck at the Group 3 level at Jebel Ali in January of 2019, reversed fortunes with Kimbear with a one-length score in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile in December of 2019. He is also a two-time Firebreak bridesmaid in 2019 and in 2020. Trained by Satish Seemar, the 8-year-old entire ran third in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Jan. 22.

Assistant trainer Bhupat Seemar said, “The Jebel Ali Mile was only 13 days ago, but he seems to have recovered well. Drawn widest of all in six is probably not ideal, but he has run well in this before and never has a bad race.”

The oversubscribed Listed Dubai Sprint is a six-furlong contest on turf, and Ekhtiyaar (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) represents the Doug Watson barn. Bearing the Shadwell colours, the gelding, a dual runner-up in the 2019/20 G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, returned to take fourth after a 320-day break in a handicap at Meydan on Jan. 21.

Richard Barnes's Could Be King (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) has been MSP at the listed level throughout his career and he added another runner-up effort in the Listed Testimonial S. at The Curragh in October. The gelding was a one-paced fifth, one behind GSP Silver Line (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and one better than MGSP Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Aus})-both of whom run for Godolphin–in the Jan. 21 G2 Al Fahidi Fort for trainer Ken Condon.

Godolphin fields the majority of the entrants in the Listed Meydan Cup over 2810 metres of sod, with seven entered. MGSW Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was off the board in the Jan. 21 Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic most recently and looks to rebound for Charlie Appleby. French Group 3 winner Moonlight Spirit (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and listed winner Ghostwatch (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are also signed on for Appleby. GSP Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) ran second in a listed handicap here on Jan. 21 for Saeed bin Suroor, while Global Heat (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}) saluted for the same yard in a Jan. 14 handicap.

Communique (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}), second in a German Group 1 this past fall for Mark Johnston, now races for Salem bin Ghadayer and bids to improve off a 12th in a listed handicap here on Jan. 21. MSP Chouain (Fr) (Rajsaman {Fr}) represents trainer Miroslav Rulec and won a Deauville contest on Dec. 27.

Click here to view the group fields.

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