Top runners to vie for honours in Shindagha Sprint at Meydan

Dubai - The night kicks start with the UAE 1000 Guineas, a TB fillies event to be contested over a mile and has attracted a compact field of five runners.

The Group-3 Al Shindagha Sprint is a promising re-match in many ways between some of the highest rated sprinters in the sixth meeting of the 2016 Dubai World Cup Carnival at the Meydan Racecourse on Thursday night.
Reynaldothewizard won the 1,200m Group-1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup night in 2013, but skipped the last two season's renewals due to injury. But, he returned back even more stronger to win the 1,200m Dubawi Stakes over course and distance and should be hard to beat when he faces the challenge of Musabah Al Muhairi's top sprinter Muarrab for the third time after beating him on both previous occasions.
Richard Mullen who rides the Wizard commented: "He seems in great form. As I have said before, he is not the easiest to gauge at home as he is far from an exuberant worker but he has been full of himself which has to be a good sign.
"We could have been drawn better but he tends to get behind early on anyway and there looks to be plenty of pace in the race which will suit him. It is a stronger race than the one he won last time but, hopefully, he has a good chance."
International jockey Fernando Jara was onboard Muarrab during the morning track work on Tuesday and said: "I do not ride this horse because it is the choice of Paul Hanagan, the retained jockey of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. But, I rode him this morning on the request (Tuesday) of trainer Musabah Al Muhairi and I have really liked him. This horse is full of speed and worked very well," he said.
Elsewhere, US-based trainer Kiaran McLaughlin saddles new comer Marking which makes his debut in the royal blue of Godolphin under James Doyle. McLaughlin said: "When we arrived we actually thought Marking was the most likely of our four Godolphin horses to win. He is dropping in trip which is a slight query but he is a very nice horse we think and one who should cope with the sprint trip, but could stretch out beyond a mile."
Second to Sterling City in 2014, Rich Tapestry has also finished respectable third to the American raider Secret Circle last year and his trainer Michael Chang is looking forward for a big run this time out.
The night kicks start with the UAE 1000 Guineas, a TB fillies event to be contested over a mile and has attracted a compact field of five runners with the smart filly Polar River being the clear-cut favourite to drop her head first across the line.
The Red Stables' retained jockey Pat Dobbs who has partnered the Congrats' filly last time out commented: "I would be very surprised if she gets beaten to be honest. Her attitude is good and she's straight forward in every way. She has a really good turn of foot and a high cruising speed. She is in great form and we are really looking forward to running her again," added 0Watson.
Elsewhere, seven colts face the starter in the UAE 2000 Guineas, headed by Godolphin duo, Steady Pace and Rouleau, which were first and second in the 1400m trial respectively. Saeed bin Suroor who trains the winner said: "Steady Pace won the trial nicely and has been working well since. Steady Pace showed he handles the dirt and hopefully he will go very close."
William Buick again rides Rouleau for Charlie Appleby. "He was staying on strongly in the trial," said Appleby. "The extra 200m should really suit him and we expect a big run."