Sprint specialists make big Carnival return

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Sprint specialists make big Carnival return
Saeed bin Suroor-trained Promising Run (James Doyle) gives the stable an edge.

Dubai - Godolphin launches strong challenge at Meydan meeting

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Published: Thu 14 Jan 2016, 7:41 PM

The Dubai World Cup Carnival, will see powerful Godolphin launch at least 12 horses at the Meydan complex tonight.
The stable will feature in the feature event where Steady Pace (Saeed bin Suroor/James Doyle) and Rouleau (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) are due to race on dirt for the first time in the seven-furlong UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial Sponsored By DP World UAE Region (20.10hrs) against six rivals.
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained pair of Promising Run (James Doyle), who captured the G2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes last year, and dual Polytrack scorer Pure Diamond (William Buick) will before that try dirt in the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial Sponsored By DP World UAE Region (19.35hrs) over the same course and distance, also meeting six opponents.
Cat O'Mountain (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) was third behind Godolphin's African Story  and Mukhadram in the 2014 G1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline on Tapeta and the six-year-old son of Street Cry returns from a 15-month absence under top-weight in the Mina Al Hamriya Handicap (21.55hrs).
Flag War (Frederik Tylicki), Good Contact (Oisin Murphy) and Think Ahead (James Doyle), all trained by Saeed bin Suroor, also line up in the 10-furlong dirt event which has attracted a total of 10 runners.
Balmoral Handicap victor Musaddas (Saeed bin Suroor/James Doyle) goes for the mile Fujairah Container Terminal Handicap (22.30hrs), which also sees the Charlie Appleby-trained duo of Emirates Skycargo (William Buick) and Flash Fire (Mickael Barzalona) take part in the 16-runner contest on turf for which American Hope (Saeed bin Suroor/Oisin Murphy) is first reserve.
Meanwhile, Meydan's Dubawi Stakes youngsters are set to shine in listed races, the Dubawi Stakes (1200m) and the Singspiel Stakes (1800m) as they highlight the second meeting of the 2016 Carnival at Meydan Racecourse tonight.
The official trials for the UAE 1,000 and UAE 2,000 Guineas also feature Polar River, the sensational 13.5-length winner of a maiden last month, set to start.
Reynaldothewizard, the 2013 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero, makes his seasonal return in the Dubawi Stakes. Trained by Satish Seemar, the veteran galloper won the race both last year and in 2013 when it was known as the Meydan Golf Trophy, prior to its promotion to black type level.
Richard Mullen, retained rider at Seemar's Zabeel Stables in Dubai, has partnered the now ten-year-old in 16 of his 17 local career starts and is hoping the combination can make their eighth visit to the winner's circle.
"He seems very well and as fit as we can get him at home," said Mullen.
"He has been bucking and squealing so is obviously full of himself and we will find out a lot on Thursday regarding how much ability remains. Obviously he is 10 now and taking on the younger generation but we know conditions really suit him.
"Muarrab looks the one to beat but we will hopefully run a big race."
Muarrab, who finished second to Reynaldthewizard in last year's renewal has not tasted defeat in four outings since.
The Musabah Al Muhairi-prepared seven-year-old capped last season with a win in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint (1,000m) and has posted a two-from-two record this term most recently with a five-and-a half length romp in the Listed Garhoud Sprint (1,200m) at Meydan four weeks ago.
Paul Hanagan, retained rider, is looking forward to renewing the rivalry.
"He has been in great form and won very well last time," said Hanagan. "This looks a decent renewal but, hopefully, he is still improving and this will be a good test." Krypton Factor, another former Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, is also booked for his first appearance of the term in the Dubawi Stakes.
The eight-year-old won the Dubai World Cup night headline sprint on the former all-weather surface, in 2012.


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