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Musir, Frozen Power Set for Classic Tussle

Musir and Frozen Power will have another keenly anticipated rematch between the two colts in the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday.

The Mike de Kock-trained Musir has just triumphed and won by a short-head from fast finishing Frozen Power over a shorter trip at the same venue a couple of weeks ago. Today, the Southern and Northern hemisphere-bred three-year-olds renew rivalry under what’s believed to be more favourable conditions for Musir.

De Kock said: ““Musir has a lot of natural speed and the longer trip is the better for him. The mile will suit my colt better. Last time out he carried seven and a half kilos more than the second finisher (Frozen Power).”

But Bin Suroor looked confident that Frozen Power will get the job done. “The mile is the preferred distance for my horse. Last time he came with a late run and hopefully the extended trip would suit him better,” he said.

However, the Guineas may not be a story of two horses. The Brazilian colt Oroveso is also a strong contender for the title. The Pascal Bary-trained colt finished only one and half a length in third behind Musir and could improve on that run. Trainer A Centra saddles his unbeaten Brazilian colt Real Secret under W Blandi while Herman Brown sends Grade-1 winner Storm Chispazo, Ryan Moore in the saddle.

In the second leg of the Maktoum Challenge (Group-3), Sir Michael Stout makes most welcome return to the local scene looking for a perfect start with Perfect Stride under Ryan Moore. The five-year-old consistent performer by Oasis Dream takes on a quality field of 12 runners going to post in the 1900m All-Weather track trip.

Ahmed Ajtebi takes the ride on Allaybar, a last time out winner over distance and course. But the immediate threat comes from the mount of Jamie Spencer Crowded House who showed great speed when finished second behind Alexandros on UAE seasonal debut. Local trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe saddles four-time winner Jet Express to try him on the new surface, but the distance may be too long for him and may also find the opposition too strong.

The curtain-raiser, a 2200m Purebred Arabians Al Maktoum Challenge R-2 Group-1 has attracted maximum field of 14 runners from the UAE and the Gulf. Richard Hills unites with Santhal for the first time to face the Qatari top performer Nil Blank and the UAE challenger Shadiyda.

In the second race, a 1200m TB handicap, Prince Tamino looks good to deliver for local trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe. The five-year-old son of Mozart ran a cracking race behind Force Freeze in the hands and heels of regular rider Royston Ffrench and should win from the mount of Kevin Shea Frosty Secret.

Titurel, K. Fallon up, has an uphill task against top weight Hot Six in the 2200m Naagoos TB handicap third race on the card.

In the fourth race, a 1200m TB handicap will see Leahurst looking for a hat-trick for trainer J Noseda and jockey Ryan Moore while Star Crowned is the best of the rest. UAE debutant Dohasa, Ted Durcan in the saddle, lines up against the Doug Watson pair Mutheeb, under Richard Hills and Barbecue under William Supple. Both were impressive course and distance winners on two different occasions.

The mount of William Buick, Yasood, has every chance to deliver for trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam in the 1600m TB handicap final race on the card.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com