Godolphin out in full force at Dubai World Cup Carnival

Dubai - Saeed bin Suroor saddles Bedouin’s Story in the $163,000 Group 2 Zabeel Mile race

The action hots up at the Meydan Racecourse on Thursday night and there is plenty to play for in the fifth race meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

It is a stacked seven-race card with a full bouquet of Group 2 and Group 3 contests that could provide a marker for Super Saturday and ultimately the Dubai World Cup night.

There are three Group 2 races and two Group 3 affairs, with each one holding its own amongst the lot.

But, one of the picks or the highlight of the night, if one may say so, is the $163,000 Group 2 Zabeel Mile to be run over eight furlongs, on turf.

And Godolphin, who lead the Trainers, Jockeys and Owners standings, are out in full force with four runners in the 11-horse field.

British saddler Charlie Appleby, who is the top trainer with seven victories, three second place finishes and four third place finishes, from 31 runners, is triple-handed with Art Du Val, D’Bai and Velorum.

Emirati conditioner Saeed bin Suroor saddles Bedouin’s Story in the race which also sees fellow Emirati Ali Rashid Al Rayhi’s Eqtiraan and reigning UAE Champion Trainer Satish Seemar’s First Contact, among other contenders.

Appleby will be eyeing a fifth win and third on the trot after tasting back-to-back success with Safety Check in 2015 and 2016 and more recently in 2019 and last year with Mythical Magic and Zakouski, respectively.

William Buick, who tops the Jockeys’ standings with five wins from 17 rides, has elected to ride D’Bai. The seven-year-old from Dubawi, D’Bai was runner-up to stablemate Land Of Legends in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort, in his previous run, last month.

“D’Bai ran a very good race in the Al Fahidi Fort and the return to 1600m is not a concern as he won over the trip as a young horse. We think the trip will suit him at this stage of his career,” said Appleby.

The 45-year-old felt that a drop in trip should suit Art Du Val, the five-year-old from No Nay Never.

“The 1800m looked slightly too far for Art Du Val in the Singspiel, so the drop back 200m should be in his favour. Velorum needed the comeback run in the Al Fahidi Fort and has improved from it. We think he can be competitive at this,” he added.

Art Du Val will be the mount of James Doyle, while Velorum will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona.

Meanwhile, Bin Suroor, who has won this race twice with Third Set in 2008 and Do It All in 2012, is pinning his hopes on Bedouin’s Story.

“He won nicely last time with a powerful finish under a great ride from Frankie Dettori, so conditions obviously suit,” Bin Suroor said of the six-year-old who won a handicap last month, under Frankie Dettori. The Italian jockey will be onboard again.

"This is a big step up in class, but we are looking forward to seeing how he copes with it,” added the 54-year-old.

The support act to the Zabeel MIle is the $163,000 Group 2 Balanchine for fillies and mares, to be run over a distance of nine furlongs, and on turf.

The $163,000 Group 2 Meydan Sprint will be contested over five furlongs on turf, while the $125,000 Group 3 UAE Oaks and $130,000 Al Shindagha Sprint, will be run on dirt.

james@khaleejtimes.com

RACECARD:

1. New Jaguar XF, TB Handicap, 1600M (a8F), Dirt, $68,000, 6.30 p.m

2. Meydan Sprint Sponsored By Land Rover, TB Group 2, 1000M (a5F), Turf, $163,000, 7.05 p.m

3. Curlin Stakes Sponsored By New Jaguar F-Pace, TB Listed Handicap, 2000M (a10F), Dirt, $88,000, 7.40 p.m

4. UAE Oaks Sponsored By New Jaguar F-Type, TB Group 3, 1900M (a9.5F), Dirt, $125,000, 8.15 p.m

5. Zabeel Mile Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors, TB Group 2, 1600M (a8F), Turf, $163,000, 8.50 p.m

6. Balanchine Sponsored By Range Rover, TB Group 2, 1800M (a9F), Turf, $163,000, 9.25 p.m

7. Al Shindagha Sprint Sponsored By New Land Rover Defender, TB Group 3, 1200M (a6F), Dirt, $130,000, 10 p.m