There is one more chance to see live action at Meydan Racecourse before the huge Dubai World Cup fixture on 5 April, when a bumper nine-race card closes out the Dubai Racing Carnival today.
Veteran grey Batwan makes his 60th career start today (Pic – DRC)
As befitting a highly international Carnival, horses trained in six different countries will be in action across the card, which features three AED190,000 handicaps and also some new faces in the jockeys’ room.
14 line up in the 2410metre turf Longines Spirit Flyback Handicap, race five, top weight in which is the Hilal Kobeissi-trained Max Mayhem.
“We’re hoping for another brave run from Max Mayhem after a solid third last time over his preferred distance [1800m],” said the Newmarket-based trainer, who is already planning a return to Dubai for the 2025-26 Carnival. “We’re hoping for another good run and have made a positive jockey booking in Adrie De Vries.”
Two run for Spanish Champion Trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta, who saddles Thundering, the mount of owner’s retained jockey Vaclav Janacek, and Shamran, the mount of Bernardo Pinheiro.
Markakol Goes for Two in a Row
Markakol impressed when running out the length and a half winner of a 1000m turf handicap a month ago. He faces 12 rivals over that same course and distance in the Longines Master Collection Handicap, race seven. He will be ridden by Ray Dawson, replacing apprentice Lorenzo Putzulu who took three kilos off his back last time.
“Markakol struggled early in the season to adapt to his new surroundings and find his best form,” said trainer Julio Olascoaga. “But he’s continued well after his last win and seems to be peaking in his condition now. However, this is a competitive race and he might miss the claim from last time out.”
Batwan, making his 60th career start and 13th at Meydan, has found things tough going this season but his owner and daily rider Marine Henry, wife of trainer Nicolas Caullery, has not lost faith in the ten-year-old.
“Batwan runs over 1000m and maybe this is one of the easier fields in that division over the last few years,” she said. “However, I hope I am wrong, but I think he’s shown in his last few runs that he needs further now. But we know he always tries his best.”
The Caullery stable also run the Moroccan-bred Russipant Fal in the 2000m dirt Longines Legend Diver Handicap, race four.
It will be his fourth start of the Carnival but first on dirt, which Henry hopes will bring about an improvement.
“Russipant was not really lucky during this Carnival, so why not have a try on the dirt?” she said. “He continues to look good in his condition but you never know how they will handle the kickback.”
The same race sees a rematch between Mashkoor and Havandi, who were separated by a less than a length when Mashkoor got up close home to deny Havandi over 2000m last month.
Havandi’s trainer Nina Lensvik is hopeful her charge can turn that form around, saying: “He’s been training very well and I was happy with his last gallop. It’s always very competitive during the Carnival but I’m optimistic that he can finish among the first few.”
Earlier on, Olascoaga’s Expert Choice aims for two wins in a row in the Longines Conquest Handicap, over 1400m on turf.
“He’s horse who has been developing through the season,” he said. “He doesn’t show much in the mornings but performs in the afternoons, always above expectations.
“This time he steps up into a more competitive category and drops in distance which shouldn’t be a problem for him. We’re happy that Jim Crowley, who really seems to understand him, is onboard again.”
Expert Choice’s 15 rivals include two for Saeed Bin Suroor, Olympic Candle and Arabic Art, while last week’s winner El Bosnia goes for Janacek and Arizkorreta.
Overseas Jockeys Join Riding Ranks
The card also sees the return of Indian jockey Suraj Narredu, who rides in the UAE for the first time since 2006. He has two mounts: Diamond Dealer for Bhupat Seemar in race eight, and Lenormand for Osama Refai in race nine.
“It’s great to be back in Dubai, I’m really excited to be coming back after such a long time as the last time I rode here was at Nad Al Sheba,” said the jockey, who has ridden more than 2400 winners during his career, including 100 Classics.
“I’m thankful to my friend, [Bloodstock Agent] Ajay Anne, for helping me to get rides and Bhupat Seemar and Osama Refai for giving me the opportunity to ride their horses. I hope I can do well on the day.”
Another new face to the Jockeys’ Room will be Libyan rider Khaled Alalos, who will partner The Ice Phoenix for trainer Lucie Botti in race three, the Longines Conquest Handicap. Earlier on, Turkish Gr1-winning rider Gokhan Yildiz will ride here for just the second time, partnering Miqyaas, race six, and Nastase, race nine, for Rashed Bouresly.
Racing gets underway at 15h30 with the Longines La Grande Classique Handicap for Purebred Arabians, for which a full field of 16 line up.
