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Dubai World Cup Carnival: Action hots up ahead of Super Saturday
Dubai - Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 for Purebred Arabians, Nad Al Sheba Trophy and Dubai Millennium Stakes, on the card
Record UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O'Shea will be riding AF Alwajel in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3. — KT file
As we head towards Super Saturday on March 6, the dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup, the sixth and final horse race meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival plays out on Thursday night.
And the six-race card is highlighted by a Group 1 and two Group 3 contests at the Meydan Racecourse.
Action gets going with the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 for Purebred Arabians, on dirt, a prep race for the Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
And Bandar, trained by Majed Al Jahoori, will be looking to defend his crown, after beating Rb Texas Hold Em, last time out.
And while the 10-horse field also includes Rb Texas Hold Em and Brraq, the Round 1 winner over 1600 metres, one cannot discount AF Alwajel. Although the six-year-old from AF Al Buraq will be making a step up in trip from 1600 metres to 2000 metres, AF Alwajel, saddled by Ernst Oertel, will be in the able hands of record eight-time UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea.
“He is a very smart horse and equally good on dirt and turf,” said O’Shea.
“He stays 1600 metres well and is strengthening as he gets older, so we hope the 2000m will be fine,” added the Irishman, who won the Kahayla Classic with AF Maher in 2019.
Meanwhile, Godolphin are well represented across the remaining five races, especially in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy over 14 furlongs, on turf, and the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, also on turf.
Emirati handler Saeed bin Suroor has a triumvirate of runners in the Nad Al Sheba with Global Heat, Volcanic Sky and Brilliant Light while Charlie Appleby, who leads the Carnival standings with nine winners from 37 runners, has Ispolini.
Appleby will be eyeing a fourth successive victory after winning the race with Rare Rhythm (2018), Ispolini (2019) and Secret Advisor (2020).
Bin Suroor is again triple-handed in the Dubai Millennium Stakes with Bedouin Story, the mount of Frankie Dettori, and Dream Castle and Royal Marine. Appleby, again seeking a fourth consecutive win here and fifth overall, has Star Safari.
james@khaleejtimes.com
RACE CARD:
1. Al Maktoum Challenge R3, PA Group 1, 2000M (a10F), Dirt, $65,000, 6.30 p.m
2. TB Handicap, 1800M (a9F), Turf, $65,000, 7.05 p.m
3. Meydan Classic, TB Listed, 1600M (a8F), Turf, $88,000, 7.40 p.m
4. Nad Al Sheba Trophy, TB Group 3, 2810M (a14F), Turf, $195,000, 8.15 p.m
5. Dubai Millennium Stakes, TB Group 3, 2000M (a10F), Turf, $130,000, 8.50 p.m
6. Meydan Challenge, TB Listed Handicap, 1400M (a7F), Turf, $88,000, 9.25 p.m
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