Bin Suroor’s stars in focus as G2 Cape Verdi sparks Carnival fire on bumper 10-race card

Friday’s Dubai Racing Carnival meeting at Meydan is a full-blooded 10-race programme, but all roads lead to the Cape Verdi (Group 2) Sponsored By Azizi, a race steeped in Carnival history and one that often sets the tone for the elite fillies’ turf division.

The Cape Verdi is traditionally the first major test for turf fillies during the Carnival and a proven launchpad to Group 1 success, often feeding directly into the Group 2 Balanchine later during the Carnival.

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For Saeed bin Suroor, it represents an opportunity to strike early in a season where he once again looms large, having claimed the Leading Trainer title eight times. A sixth Cape Verdi victory would underline his enduring dominance at Meydan and signal intent for the weeks ahead.

Bin Suroor’s Dominance

Few trainers have shaped the history of this race like Saeed bin Suroor, whose five previous wins include a memorable hat-trick with Very Special (2016–17) and Promising Run (2018). From his Al Quoz base, where he operates throughout the Carnival season, the Emirati maestro saddles two live chances.

Commenting on the chances of his duo, Bin Suroor said: “Dubai Treasure steps up to a mile after an eighth-place finish in the Listed Ertijal Dubai Dash last month. She’s come out of that run really well.

“This is her first attempt at a mile, so the key will be for her to relax early and find a rhythm. If she does that, I think she’ll give herself every chance of seeing it out strongly.”

Stablemate Dubai Beach arrives on the back of a narrow defeat, beaten just a head by the Michael Costa-trained Molaqab over 1400 metres earlier this month in the Jebel Ali Port Handicap.

“She’s improving all the time, and that run showed me she belongs here,” he said. “This is a step up in class, but she’s earned the chance. I’d like to see her take another step forward and be competitive again.”

Race Snapshot: Cape Verdi (G2)

Race: Race 7 – Group 2, fillies & mares
Distance: 1600m
Prize Money: AED 750,000
Track: Turf
Fact: Saeed bin Suroor has won the race 5 times out of Godolphin Racing’s 11 wins.

Race heritage: The race is named after Cape Verdi, the Godolphin filly trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who won the 1998 1000 Guineas (G1)  and was later crowned European Champion Three-Year-Old Filly at the Cartier Racing Awards.

International raiders raise the bar

Standing in the way of a sixth Cape Verdi for bin Suroor is a high-quality overseas quartet, led by dual South African Group 1 winner Quid Pro Quo.

Now trained in France by Jerome Reynier, the four-year-old South African-bred makes her local debut after a preparatory run on the Polytrack at Deauville. Reynier is optimistic that a return to turf will suit.

“Quid Pro Quo has adapted very well to her new environment,” reported Reynier. “She’s moving really well on the dirt, but we are looking forward to seeing her back on turf. Fingers crossed she will run well and aim for the Balanchine next time out.”

Veteran Riyabovka, a three-time winner, makes her Meydan debut for Nicolas Caullery, while Capitana Bling gives Norwegian trainer Silja Storen her first runner in Dubai after Listed success in Sweden.

Class meets international flair

This year’s Cape Verdi blends proven Carnival class with international intrigue. Saeed bin Suroor’s pair brings continuity and course knowledge, while Quid Pro Quo adds genuine Group 1 depth. In a compact field where every move counts, expect a chess match rather than a sprint.

The main support is the AED400,000 Cocoa Beach Stakes (Race 8), a 15-runner dirt contest for three-year-old fillies. Labwah heads the field after beating several of these in the Shahama Stakes and is expected to appreciate the extra furlong, with pace likely to suit. Stablemate She’s Essential debuts but is expected to improve for the run.

The card closes with the Vazirabad Handicap over 2410m on turf, featuring runners from five countries. Jane Chapple-Hyam saddles Group 1 winner Claymore, while Finely Tuned gives Efrain Arguinzones his first Dubai runner, having settled in well.

KT Selections

• Race 1: Daarkoml / Border Edge

• Race 2: Jamra Sb / Kif Star

• Race 3: Anno Domini / Laneqash

• Race 4: Beccalil / Mutaany

• Race 5: War Hawk / Hans Andersen

• Race 6: Indian Springs / Faattik

• Race 7: Dubai Treasure / Dubai Beach

• Race 8: Labwah / Ouhjah

• Race 9: Cavallo Bay / Silent Defense

• Race 10: Endless Victory / Green Triangle

Day’s Best: Indian Springs