Friday’s Preview: Godolphin Holds Strong Hand In Meydan Feature

With the Saudi Cup card taking top billing among this weekend's Gulf action, Friday's Dubai World Cup Carnival card at Meydan has a quieter look than its predecessors in recent weeks, with just one black-type event. Godolphin holds a strong hand in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. named for its 2000 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and contested over 2000 metres on the grass, and its four runners-two apiece for Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor-are headed on ratings by Appleby's 6-year-old Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the defending race winner, at 110. The €200,000 yearling made just four starts across his first three seasons on the track, but came to life last season at Meydan, winning twice from four starts including the Dubai Millennium. He went winless in three European starts last summer while picking up a third in the G2 Princess of Wales's Tattersalls S., and after finishing second in the Listed Dubai Racing Classic off the layoff on Jan. 14, bested Marie's Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) in the Listed Zabeel Turf over this course and distance on Jan. 28.

The Godolphin quartet also includes the useful Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), who drops back in trip after a pair of thirds at Meydan to begin his campaign. Royal Fleet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) goes the other direction, stepping up to 2000 metres off a pair of Group 2 placings at Meydan over a furlong shorter. Big Team (Speightstown) makes his fourth run of the carnival, his first three having resulted in placings.

The unknown quantity of the race is the Turkish Derby winner Burgas (Tur) (King David), who has won eight of 12 starts in his native land including four local Group 1s, but he has not run since Oct. 30.

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Real World Returns A Winner At Meydan

Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) enjoyed an unbeaten European summer campaign last year for Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor, and he made a seamless transition into his 4-year-old season on Friday with a comfortable win in Meydan's featured G2 Zabeel Mile.

A five-length debut winner at Chelmsford City at the back end of his 2-year-old season in 2020, Real World finished second in a Meydan conditions race just before the turn of the calendar before going on to run with credit at the carnival, finishing third at the handicap and listed levels before wrapping up that campaign with a fourth in a 2000-metre turf handicap.

Resurfacing at Royal Ascot, Real World won the one-mile Royal Hunt Cup and backed up four weeks later to take Newbury's Listed Steventon S. It was on to York for Real World after that to win the G3 Strensall S. over Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper), and the bay made it four on the bounce when beating Group 1 winner The Revenant (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein over very soft ground at ParisLongchamp.

With Danny Tudhope deputizing for the Covid-stricken Frankie Dettori, Real World was swiftly away on the fence and soon took up a stalking position about a length and a half off the pacesetting Ajwad (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). Real World appeared poised while in a pocket as they rounded the bend, but Ajwad soon peeled off the rail as he began to tire passing the quarter pole, leaving Real World room to roll up to the lead. At last put to a drive by Tudhope, Real World sprinted clear and hit the line 2 1/2-lengths the best as Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and One Ruler (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) put in mild rallies late.

Bin Suroor said post-race, “we'll keep the options open for the Group 1 races,” but that doesn't necessarily mean Real World will stay on the turf.

“He was about 90% ready,” the trainer added. “He ran well and finished his race well and we'll see how he goes in the future. He's entered in Saudi, Super Saturday and Dubai World Cup night between the dirt and turf. The reason we ran him on turf tonight was just to make him ready for the dirt races coming. It's unfair sometimes to run a horse who is not ready and run him on dirt and he gets beat and they say 'oh, he is not a dirt horse.' Sheikh Mohammed will decide [which race to go for].”

Pedigree Notes

Real World is the lone stakes winner thus far from 15 foals bred on the Dark Angel over Dubawi cross, which is also responsible for the G2 Norfolk S. third Silver Line (Ire). Real World is out of Nafura (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a dual-winning half-sister to the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix du Moulin- winning sire Librettist (Danzig); the G1 Queen Anne S.-winning sire Dubai Destination (Kingmambo) and the multiple group winner Secret Number (GB) (Raven's Pass). It is the further family of G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere winner Royal Marine (Ire) (Raven's Pass) and multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Agnes World (Danzig). The Godolphin homebred Nafura is also the dam of last year's Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was placed in the prior year's G2 May Hill S. and G3 Sweet Solera S. Nafura's 3-year-old is the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt Home City (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), who won last year and was second in a conditions race during last week's carnival card. Nafura's 2021 foal died.

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
ZABEEL MILE PRESENTED BY EMAAR BEACHFRONT-G2, $108,000, Meydan, 1-28, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:35.36, gd.
1–REAL WORLD (IRE), 130, h, 5, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Nafura (GB), by Dubawi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mysterial, by Alleged
3rd Dam: Mysteries, by Seattle Slew
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Daniel Tudhope.
$108,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng & Fr, 10-6-1-2, $468,872.
*1/2 to Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), SW & MGSP-Eng,
$123,978. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A+.
2–Alfareeq (Ire), 126, g, 5, Dark Angel (Ire)–Urjuwaan (GB), by
Cape Cross (Ire). O-Shadwell; B-Shadwell Estate Co Ltd (IRE); T-
Musabbeh Al Mheiri. $36,000.
3–One Ruler (Ire), 126, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Fintry (Ire), by
Shamardal. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. $18,000.
Margins: 2HF, HD, 3. Also Ran: Path Of Thunder (Ire), Moqtarreb (GB), Bless Him (Ire), King David (Den), Velorum (Ire), Ajwad (GB), Telemaque, Hakeem (GB), Nordic Lights (GB), Mailshot.
Click for the Emirates Racing chart. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.

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Real World Aims For Zabeel Mile Win

 

The highlight of Friday's Dubai World Cup Carnival card is the G2 Zabeel Mile Presented By Emaar Beachfront. Saeed bin Suroor's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is riding a four-race winning streak since failing to win at the DWCC last term.

One of three in the race for Godolphin, the 5-year-old entire won Royal Ascot's Royal Hunt Cup in June and followed up in a Newbury listed affair a month later. Successful in the G3 Strensall S. versus Meydan Group 1 winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) on Aug. 21, he clawed his way to victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein when last seen on Oct. 2. Frankie Dettori was originally in the irons, but the Italian reinsman is off his mounts with covid, so Danny Tudhope takes his place.

“He's a different horse to the one we saw finishing placed three times last Carnival,” said Bin Suroor, who has won the Zabeel Mile in 2008 and 2012. “He really strengthened up and matured over the summer, progressing from handicaps to group company. He's been off the track since October, but we always planned to start him here, before looking at the Neom Turf Cup or the Saudi Cup. The G1 Jebel Hatta [sponsored by Emirates Airline] on Super Saturday could also be an option.”

Charlie Appleby's Godolphin pair of Zabeel Trophy hero Path Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and 2020 G3 Autumn S. winner One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are also signed on. The former got the job done over course and distance defeating Shadwell's Moqtarreb (GB) (Kingman {GB}) last out on Jan. 7, while the latter ran sixth.

“He [Path of Thunder] kicked off his Carnival by winning a conditions race over a mile, so now he's forced himself into group company,” said Appleby, who has won this race five times already. “He should be competitive in the Zabeel Mile.”

 

First Classic of the Season

The two-for-two Shahama (Munnings) towers over the six-horse field for the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Presented By Dubai Marina By Emaar. Unveiled going seven furlongs here on Dec. 9, the KHK Racing colourbearer drew off by nine lengths with Doug Watson's Minwah (Cupid) a distant second. Kept at that trip when returned to action on New Year's Day, the half-sister to two-time US champion Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' with another easy win in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial for Fawzi Nass. Little Afrodite (Shackleford) was fourth that day, one better than Minwah. Three-time winner Hot Pink (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) is looking to return to the winner's circle after running fifth in her Meydan debut on Jan. 21.

 

Super Saturday Pointers

The 1200-metre Listed Dubai Sprint Presented By Dubai Creek Harbour By Emaar features a contentious field and Charlie Appleby sends out the duo of Man Of Promise (Into Mischief), who won this race last year, and Group 3 winner Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“He missed his intended start a couple of weeks ago after spiking a temperature”, said Appleby of Man Of Promise. “I didn't want to run him at less than 100% as he's a horse we think can be competitive at the Carnival. He's back on song now.”

Shadwell's Mutaraafa (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), fresh off a victory in the Listed Dubai Dash on Jan. 14, two better than Motafaawit (Ire) (Intikhab), is also back for more. There is some Southern Hemisphere flavour with Will Clarken's group-placed Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) fresh off the plane from Australia.

Among the field for the 2000-metre Listed Zabeel Turf Presented By The Valley By Emaar is 2021 G3 Dubai Millennium S. hero Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Fourth in the Sept. 24 Listed Godolphin S. at Newmarket, the 6-year-old gelding was an encouraging second in the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic locally on Jan. 14. Bin Suroor saddles Meydan handicap runner-up Dubai Mirage (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Hisaaki Saito trainee Integrant (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) is also one to watch, as he won the Listed Prix Lyphard at Deauville on Nov. 23.

The 2810-metre Listed Al Hail Trophy Presented By Dubai Hills Estate By Emaar features six horses bearing the royal blue of Godolphin. Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a dual listed winner at Meydan and one of four in the race for Saeed bin Suroor. Fifth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night last year, he returned to take third at Kempton in November and was eighth to Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy. He ran out a 5 1/4-length winner of the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic on Jan. 14. Charlie Appleby's pair of listed-placed Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G2 Queen's Vase hero Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) also take part, with Kemari running second in the G2 Prix Chaudenay in October.

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the group field.

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Dettori Positive For Covid

Frankie Dettori has tested positive for Covid-19 and will therefore miss his rides at Meydan on Friday as he self isolates.

“I won't be riding this weekend, as I've tested positive for Covid,” the jockey said in a video posted to Twitter. “I'm restricted in my room for a few days. I'm feeling a bit under the weather, but I've had my vaccine so we should survive. I'll keep you posted, but I'm not going to be doing much anyway.”

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G2 Zabeel Mile was among the highlights of Dettori's rides at Friday's carnival meeting. Danny Tudhope has now been named on last year's G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner.

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