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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Teofilo’s Nations Pride Too Strong In The Dubai Millennium

Reappearing for the first time since his fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, last year's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational and GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) got his 2023 campaign off to a flyer with a comfortable success in Friday's G3 Dubai Millennium S. at Meydan. The pick of William Buick of the Charlie Appleby duo and marginally the second favourite at 11-8 behind stablemate Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the homebred travelled notably strongly behind the leading pair throughout the early stages. Rolling to the front 300 metres from the finish, he was pushed out to score by 1 1/4 lengths from Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) as Ottoman Fleet faded late to be a further half length away in third.

Nations Pride has not raced in his native England since finishing eighth in the Derby, his sole blip having come after earning a supplementary for the Blue Riband when beating Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}) by seven lengths in the Listed Newmarket S. in April. Highly effective at or around this 10-furlong trip on a conventional track, he is now the winner of this venue's inaugural Jumeirah Derby, the aforementioned Saratoga Derby Invitational and Jockey Club Derby Invitational as well as being a possibly unfortunate runner-up in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational.
Appleby, who was winning this race for the sixth consecutive year, is considering the G1 Jebel Hatta and G1 Dubai Turf. “Immediately, you'd say have a crack at the Dubai Turf, as they'll go a good gallop over the 1800 metres there, but we'll see how the cards fall,” he said.

Pedigree Notes

The dam Important Time (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was a listed winner in Germany, is a daughter of the G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Satwa Queen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) who is herself kin to the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud-winning sire Spadoun (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}). Satwa Queen is also the second dam of the G1 Phoenix S. hero and G1 2000 Guineas, G1 St James's Palace S. and G1 Middle Park S.-placed Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Also related to the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Marieta (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), she has a 2-year-old filly by Dark Angel (Ire) and a yearling full-sister to the winner to come.

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI MILLENNIUM S.-G3, $150,000, Meydan, 2-17, 4yo/up, 10fT, 2:01.16, gd.
1–NATIONS PRIDE (IRE), 136, c, 4, by Teofilo (Ire)
     1st Dam: Important Time (Ire) (SW-Ger), by Oasis Dream (GB)
     2nd Dam: Satwa Queen (Fr), by Muhtathir (GB)
     3rd Dam: Tolga, by Irish River (Fr)
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. $90,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-US, SW-Eng, 11-7-2-0, $1,644,216. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Zagrey (Fr), 129, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Grey Anatomy (GB), by Slickly (Fr). (€32,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Ecurie Altima & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Ecurie Euroling (FR); T-Yann Barberot. $30,000.
3–Ottoman Fleet (GB), 129, g, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Innevera (Fr), by Motivator (GB). (€290,000 Wlg '19 ARQDE; 425,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-SCEA Marmion Vauville & Alain Jathiere (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $15,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 4HF.
Also Ran: Daramethos (Ire), Annerville (Ire), Aeonian (Ire), Good Fortune (Den), Freescape (GB), Midlife Crisis (Fr), Desert Fire (Ire), Withering (GB), Ursa Minor (Ire).

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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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Valiant Prince A New Group Winner For Dubawi In Dubai

The $180,000 G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Azizi featured a Godolphin trifecta once the dust settled, as Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came out on top by three-quarters of a length over the better-fancied pair of Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saeed bin Suroor, and Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). It was the second Friday of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and a one/three finish for Charlie Appleby.

The 1800-metre contest began with the eventual winner in close quarters under James Doyle and shuffled back to a midpack perch, as bin Suroor trainee Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})–the fourth of the Godolphin quartet–cut out fractions on the front end. Dubai Future rated just off the frontrunner with Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) to his outside, and Valiant Prince was on Dubai Future's tail.

Able to save ground against the fence, Valiant Prince appeared poised for a big effort rounding the far bend and Wirko retreated leaving the turn. Passion And Glory's lead diminished upon straightening, and Dubai Future took over with 400 metres remaining, as Ottoman Fleet also began to let down for his run. Splitting Dubai Future and Ottoman Fleet, the dark bay battled with those foes, before finally subduing Dubai Future in the final 50 metres. Ottoman Fleet's drive fell flat.

“It was a big step forward on what he's achieved in the past,” said Doyle. “We were drawn well, but it got a little hairy on the bend and the two in front got away. It kind of suited him as he doesn't want to see much daylight and the way he picked up was quite a surprise–he felt like he was always going to win comfortably.”

A winner of a brace of one-mile Meydan handicaps last winter, the 5-year-old ran fourth in the Listed Paradise S. returned to England in April. He drew off to win the Listed Ganton S. by four lengths at York in June, and Friday was his first start in 217 days.

 

Pedigree Notes

Darley's remarkable Dubawi, fresh off his first UK/Ireland Champion Sire title, has sired 249 black-type winners. Friday's winner is his 162nd group scorer.

Valiant Prince joins G3 Pinnacle S. heroine Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as group winners out of G1 Matron S. victress Chachamaidee (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). Klassique, who was also placed an additional three times at group level in England and France, has colts by Siyouni (Fr) and Lope De Vega (Ire) in 2021 and 2022. The last reported foal for Chachamaidee is Capitano (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is an unraced 3-year-old colt.

A half-sibling to G3 Premier Cup winner Chief Whip (Giant's Causeway) and a full to G3 Fred Darling S. heroine J Wonder (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Chachamaidee is from the extended family of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo), herself the granddam of G3 Snow Fairy S. winner and G1 Irish Oaks/G1 Pretty Polly S. bridesmaid Rain Goddess (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
AL RASHIDIYA PRESENTED BY AZIZI-G2, $180,000, Meydan,
1-13, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:46.92, gd.
1–VALIANT PRINCE (IRE), 126, g, 5, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Chachamaidee (Ire) (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at
                                5-7f, Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9 1/2f,
                                G1SW-Ire, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $650,743),
                                by Footstepsinthesand (GB)
2nd Dam: Canterbury Lace, by Danehill
3rd Dam: Legend Maker (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
1ST GROUP WIN. (200,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Godolphin;
B-R A H Evans (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle.
$108,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 9-5-2-0, $229,409. *1/2 to
Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW-Eng, MGSP-Fr, $180,470.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dubai Future (GB), 126, g, 7, Dubawi (Ire)–Anjaz, by Street
Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $36,000.
3–Ottoman Fleet (GB), 125, g, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Innevera
(Fr), by Motivator (GB). (€290,000 Wlg '19 ARQDEC;
425,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-SCEA Marmion
Vauville & Alain Jathiere (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $18,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 4 1/4.
Also Ran: Zagrey (Fr), Freescape (GB), Fastnet Crown (Ire), San Donato (Ire), King David (Den), Passion And Glory (Ire), Ursa Minor (Ire), Wirko (Ger). Click for the VIDEO.

 

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