Star-studded Cast of Euros head to Meydan

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Starlust takes on the Al Wasl Stakes (Image Courtesy Breeders' Cup)
Starlust takes on the Al Wasl Stakes (Image Courtesy Breeders' Cup)

A strong Carnival for the internationals could get even better when Group 3 winner Starlust lines up in Friday’s Al Wasl Stakes [Presented by Nakheel], over 1200metres on turf.

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Trained by Ralph Beckett for owners Jim and Fitri Hay, the son of Zoustar won three times last season and wound up with a second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

“It’s very much his first run of the year but he has done plenty at home,” said Alex Cole, Racing Manager to the Hays. “The draw [13] isn’t great but he is the class horse and should run well.”

Another bringing in solid Group race form is Thunder Blue, who will be a second Dubai runner – but a first since 2017 – for UK-based Dominic Ffrench Davis. The Blue Point colt was fourth in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket and warmed up for this with a second on the All Weather in November.

“Thunder Blue has thrived since arriving in Dubai. He’s settled in quickly and done everything we asked of him,” said Ffrench Davis. “I think it’s a tough race but he’ll run a big one and we think he’s better than his rating.”

The strong UK raiding party is further bolstered by Zoulu Chief for trainer Heather Main, who is hopeful of a big run.

“Zoulu Chief has settled in well and we think the track will suit him,” said Main, who has engaged Pat Dobbs to ride the three-time UK winner.

The Czech Republic has already had success at the Carnival with Ponntos and could strike again with Zorken, who is a four-time winner for trainer Ingrid Koplikova. Successful in his latest start at Deauville in October, he is a second Dubai runner for his trainer, after Josephino last year.

“It won’t be easy,” said Koplikova, a former jockey. “He’s running at Meydan for the first time, so we hope for the best result.”

G1 winner Hypothetical Takes to the Turf

G1 winner Hypothetical makes a rare start on turf when he lines up in the AED300,000 Lord North Handicap [Presented by Nakheel], over 1800metres.

Winner of G1 Maktoum Challenge R3 in 2022, Salem Bin Ghadayer’s seven-year-old runs on the grass for the first time since leaving the UK in 2020.

“We tried to find a suitable dirt race before the Maktoum Challenge or Firebreak Stakes in two weeks’ time, but this was our only option,” explained Bin Ghadayer of the surface switch. “He needs a run before his main goal, but if we could choose, he’d be running on dirt.

“He ran well on the turf for John Gosden so he shouldn’t have a problem.”

Among his opposition is Good Fortune, a winner on a rainy day at the Carnival last season, who lines up for Danish-based trained Soren Jensen. There are also five Godolphin runners in the field, including Majestic Pride, winner of two of five starts for Charlie Appleby, and Laser Show, a Meydan winner back in 2020 for Saeed Bin Suroor.

Another with form around this track is Silent Film, a winner at the Carnival in 2022 for Appleby. He has since been purchased by Fitri Hay and was a winner last time out in Hungary from his base in the UK with Ian Williams.

“Silent Film is fit and well has a good draw and should go well,” said Cole, representing the owners.

Russian Imports on Fascinating Undercard

The AED210,000 Dubai Islands Handicap, race six, over 2000metres on dirt, has something of a cosmopolitan look to it thanks to a Korean runner and a pair of Russian imports.

11-time Korea winner Simjangui Godong makes his local debut for trainer Seung Tae Shim, while Doug Watson runs Hero Mo and Kabirkhan, who have both joined his Red Stables after winning eight of their nine starts in Russia.

“They’re both very nice horses,” said Watson. “You don’t know what to expect when they arrive but they’re both big and strong-looking and have been over to Meydan a couple of times. They both work like they’re very nice horses, so it will be interesting to see how they stack up against the locals.

“They’re different from each other. Kabirkhan looks a lot like his father [California Chrome]; he’s a big chestnut horse, and Hero Mo, I think, will light up at the races. Pat [Dobbs, jockey] has picked Kabirkhan as his works have been really good, but neither of them has done much wrong in Russia; we just have to see how that correlates to here.”

Bin Ghadayer runs four-time course winner Book Review, who needs to bounce back after finishing eighth of eight on his most recent run in December, after which he scoped badly.

“Book Review now has a 100 rating, having come from 70,” said the trainer. “This is his trip and I hope to see him in his best form.”

Another very open contest is the Palm Beach Towers Handicap, race four, over 1400metres on dirt. Bin Ghadayer runs dual course winner Meshakel, who is looking for his first win since 2021.

“The seven furlongs [1400metres] at Meydan is his favourite course and distance,” he said. “He’s dropped in his rating so we hope he’s still got the spark.”

Meshakel’s eight rivals include recent course winner Morning, while the season’s leading trainer Michael Costa runs Kal Barg, a winner last time out at Jebel Ali.

The nine-race card, all of which is sponsored by Nakheel, gets underway at 5:30pm with a 1000metre turf sprint, the Palm Jumeirah Handicap. Five-time winner Many A Star is the sole international runner, having joined Jamie Osborne from Paul and Oliver Cole.

iRace
Author: iRace

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