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Siyaadah Eyes Treble

DUBAI — Aspectoflove returns to action under Frankie Dettori in the Group-3 Balanchine the highlight of the eight-race card at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday. The first race starts at 6.35pm and the popular pick-seven competition goes from race two to race eight.

The four-year-old Danetime filly finished a close second behind Soneva over a mile in the turf Group Three Cape Verdi earlier this month. Today, Aspectoflove steps up to nine furlongs to renew rivalry against previous opponents Purple Sage and the South African top filly star Zirconeum in addition to defending champion Deem.

The Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Aspectoflove showed a lot of speed in the Cape Verdi and she has worked very well since then.

“She is ready to race and I am very happy with her at the moment. She was a bit unlucky on her latest start but I am hopeful that the step up to nine furlongs will suit her well.”

Godolphin won the first running of the Balanchine Stakes, run at Nad Al Sheba in 2004, with Gonfilia.

Meanwhile, the Royal Stables look forward for Siyaadah to give them a third successive victory in the UAE Oaks Listed fourth race on the card.

The Shamardal filly cruised to a resounding victory on UAE debut when she came from last to first in the hands and heels of Ahmed Ajtebi to win the UAE 1000 Guineas from fast finishing French contender Ayun Tara.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Siyaadah ran an excellent race in the UAE 1,000 Guineas and I was really pleased with her performance. She proved that she handled Tapeta and she has come out of that race in very good order.

“She looks in great condition at the moment and I don’t think that racing over an extended nine furlongs will be a problem for her.

“We are looking to see another good result from her on Thursday.”

Godolphin won this race previously by Cocoa Beach in 2008, Devotee in 2009, Laoub in 2001, Imperial Gesture in 2002, Danuta in 2003 and Satin Kiss in 2005 on Nad Al Sheba dirt track.

UAE jockey Ahmed Ajtebi will partner Siyaadah to face the challenge of previous rivals Berg Bahn, Raihana, Bikini Babe, Talenta and Mensajera De La Luz, who all finished behind the Godolphin filly in the UAE 1,000 Guineas.

Age of Reason makes second reappearance of the season under Frankie Dettori in the 3,200m DRC Gold Cup seventh race of the night. The five-year-old gelded son of former champion Halling landed a 2,800m turf handicap at the same venue earlier this month. He also finished runner-up in a 2,400m Polytrack Listed race at Kempton Park, UK, in November; and took second over same distance in turf Group One Gran Premio di Milano at Milan, Italy last June and a 2,400m turf winner at Doha, Qatar, last February.

Meanwhile, Midshipman makes second outing of the new year after being beaten by the Brazilian contender Gloria de Campeo inside final furlong when finished fourth in mile Tapeta Group Three Al Maktoum Challenge Round One.

The runner-up in the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Pro-Ride at Santa Anita, USA, in November and dual US Grade One scorer on Pro-Ride & Polytrack, drops down in class and distance to take on 13 opponents over a 1,400m trip.