A loaded card brings in the New Year at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, when a bunch of Gr1 performers line up on the eight-race ‘Sword Of Honour’ race day.
The official feature is the Gr2 Zabeel Mile (sponsored by Phi Advertising) in which San Donato bids to emulate Safety Check, the only dual winner of the race to date.
Successful last year when trained by Doug Watson, the nine-year-old is now with Michael Costa and put in a promising yard debut when second in the Listed Business Bay Challenge last time out.
TUZ winning the 2024 Dubawi Stakes (Pic – DRC)
“We’re really happy with him,” said the trainer. “We ran him first up thinking he would be be too short [on fitness] but we wanted to give his coat a wriggle on. He has come on nicely and will keep getting better with the increase in distance.
“It looks a firmer race then last year, but the horse is a happy horse.”
The nine-strong field includes two trained by Charlie Appleby, Ottoman Fleet and Noble Dynasty, while Lucia Botti runs Royal Dubai, third in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya last time out.
“Royal Dubai looks fantastic after his impressive Group 2 performance,” she said. “It’s a short break between two very competitive races, but he’s honest and ready for the challenge.”
Tuz is the leading dirt sprinter in the UAE, backing up his Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen success with another demolition job in the Listed Garhoud Sprint last month.
He defends his title in the Gr3 Dubawi Stakes (sponsored by Binghatti Developers), over 1200metres on dirt, and has scared off all bar five rivals.
“Tuz is one of the fastest horses in the world and is in good form. He’s his usual self so all is good with him,” reported trainer Bhupat Seemar, who also won this race in 2023 with Switzerland.
Tuz’s rivals include Desperate Hero, who makes his dirt debut for Salem Bin Ghadayer having been trained in the UK by Jack Channon, and Colour Up, second to Tuz in the Garhoud Sprint. Strobe, who looked unlucky on his Meydan debut, also takes his chance for Simon and Ed Crisford.
“Desperate Hero has had just one gallop since he came,” said Bin Ghadayer. “He performed well on soft and firm ground in Europe and I’m really happy about him – he’s a nice horse and he could develop to become one of the good sprinters here.
“This weekend’s race is just a starting point for him, as it’s a tough field with a super champion [Tuz] in there. But he will be very nice horse, especially over five furlongs.”
Another of the dirt features is the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (sponsored by Kentucky Derby) which has attracted an intriguing field of 13, including one filly, the Bin Ghadayer-trained Arigatou Gozaimasou. A runaway winner on debut, she missed her last intended start due to suspected ringworm and must now break from a wide draw in 11.
“To be honest we don’t really want to take on the boys, but we have to as we missed the Shahama Stakes,” said trainer Bin Ghadayer.
“I’d like to reach the Cocoa Beach Stakes with two races in her pocket; at least two seven furlong races, before we start on the mile.
“She has the ability and the quality to compete against the boys, but I would rather have been drawn six or seven.”
Taking Arigatou Gozaimasou on are two Southern Hemisphere-breds trained by Julio Olascoaga; Don Vacarro, winner of two of three starts at Maronas, Uruguay, and Nam Phrik, winner of three from six.
“Both hold solid form from Uruguay and they tick all the boxes of what we like to see in a 3yo that comes over to Dubai from South America,” said the trainer. “Over seven furlongs [1400metres] Don Vaccaro may have an advantage, but both have pleased us in their morning work.”
Costa runs the unbeaten Rammayy, who has two narrow wins at Jebel Ali on his resume.
“He’s improved from his first outing,” said the trainer. “He’s having a spin at Meydan for his first time. He has a relaxed racing style so we’ll see how he handles it.”
Cunha Has First Meydan Runners
UK-based South African trainer Dylan Cunha returns to Dubai for the first time since 2009 with a pair of runners, including Silver Sword, who runs in the opening Zabeel Turf (sponsored by Daman Markets).
Dylan Cunha – hoping to make it a big return to Meydan (Pic – Supplied)
The 2000m contest has attracted 15 runners and looks extremely competitive, but Cunha is hopeful of a good run from his quirky grey.
“He’s a decent horse who lost his way last year but I feel we got him back before he left for Dubai and has been thriving out there – I’ve never seen him better,” said the trainer.
“If it’s a clean run race and he gets over from stall 10 into a decent position he will run a good race. I expect, and would be happy with, a top four finish.”
Appleby runs two, Endless Victory and El Cordobes, while Sean, who drops in class after finishing fourth in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya last time, aims to keep up the good start to the Carnival made by Jamie Osborne.
“Sean has tightened up for his run a fortnight ago behind Measured Time,” said the British trainer. “This race is a more realistic test for him and given normal luck he should be very competitive.”
Race three, the Sword of Excellence Stakes (sponsored by Zoho), over 1200m on turf, has attracted a competitive field of 13, with the weights topped by Group 1 winner Emaraaty Ana, a respectable seventh in the Al Quoz Sprint when last seen in July.
“Ana’s main winter target will be a defence of his Dukhan Sprint crown in Doha in February,” said trainer Osborne. “However, this race looks like an ideal starting point for him. He could just tighten up for the run but I’m confident that he’s retained his ability and enthusiasm. He should get a good pace to run at which will suit him.”
Bottom spot on the weights goes to three-year-old King’s Call, a new recruit for Cunha.
“We bought him at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale so I don’t know too much about him,” said the trainer. “We gelded him straight away and have built him back into things so he’s 90 per cent there.
“In saying that, he’s been impressive with what we have seen so far and has a fantastic attitude. We will know a lot more about him after Friday.”
The Jockey Club in Town
Dubai Racing Club welcomes a new sponsor in British racecourse group The Jockey Club, who lend their name to the Jumeirah Stakes, race seven, for three-year-olds on turf over 1400m.
Ten line up, including The Fingal Raven, winner of one of his four starts in the UK for Osborne.
“On ratings, he has plenty to find,” said the trainer. “However, we are confident he is better than his mark. He’s been training well and we expect a solid first run. He will be plying his trade at a mile after this.”
Spirit Of Leros, winner of two of five in the UK, also makes his Meydan debut under jockey Andrew Slattery.
“Spirit Of Leros is a very talented horse, and we believe he’ll benefit from the step up to 1400 m,” said trainer Lucie Botti. “It’s his first run in Dubai, and the competition is challenging, but he’s doing really well up here.”
The one to beat could be Appleby’s Hallasan, who landed a valuable 1300metre sales race at Doncaster when last seen in September.
The eight-race card concludes with the tight Zoho Handicap, over 2810m on turf. Appleby’s King Of Conquest, deemed good enough to contest a Group I last time out, could be the one to catch.
- The first is off at 15h30
