This evening’s fifth meeting of the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse is a mouth-watering seven-race card carrying total prize money of $1,145,000 and sponsored by pillar partner DP World.
The evening is highlighted by a pair of Group affairs, the Gr2 Al Rashidiya for $6 million Dubai Turf sponsored by Gr1 DP World aspirants and the Gr3 Al Shindagha Sprint for those with $2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News (G1) dreams.
The card also showcases stayers in the inaugural running of the Listed Meydan Cup and gives dirt and turf milers a chance to shine in wide-open handicap company.
Barney Roy – likely favourite
Over about nine furlongs on the turf, the Al Rashidiya has attracted a field of seven, including last year’s winner Dream Castle, bidding to become the first dual winner of a race inaugurated in 2000 for Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
The son of Frankel won this last year, having already landed the Group 3 (now G2) Singspiel Stakes and followed up in the Gr1 Jebel Hatta over this trip.
The bay gelding has not won since his Super Saturday success early last March, subsequently disappointing twice in Europe, a pair of Australian races and again in the inaugural edition of the Listed Zabeel Turf Handicap over 2000m two weeks ago. Christophe Soumillon rides, while Pat Cosgrave will be aboard Listed-winning stable companion Mountain Hunter, a multiple Carnival victor.
“Dream Castle was frankly disappointing on his return, but came out of the race in good form,” Bin Suroor said. “He has been working well and this 1800m on turf is probably his optimum conditions, so we were keen to run him in the race he won last year before making future plans. Mountain Hunter needed his comeback run and has a good record at Meydan and is ready to run a good race.”
The market favourite is expected to be Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby-conditioned Barney Roy, who will be joined by Group 2-winning stablemate Loxley in the gate. William Buick rides Gr1 winner Barney Roy, a 6-year-old who races for only the fourth time since 2017 after having missed all of 2018 with a failed stud attempt. James Doyle will guide Loxley, who was well beaten on his return in the aforementioned Zabeel Turf, finishing about six lengths behind Dream Castle.
“This has been a long-term plan for Barney Roy, who we hope is a Jebel Hatta horse,” Appleby said. “If all goes well, the Dubai Turf would then be the goal. He is a class act, but will certainly improve for the outing. (Loxley) was a bit too free in that comeback race and never really found cover to help him settle. We are hoping the slightly shorter trip is in his favour and he will likely be ridden more positively.”
The remaining trio—Gr2-placed Sharpalo for Ahmad bin Harmash, Mike de Kock’s Gr1-placed Majestic Mambo and his former charge, Carnival winner Light The Lights (now with Satish Seemar)—would all appear to have something to find with the best of the Godolphin runners.
Of the trio, Majestic Mambo benefits from seasoning, already with two races this Carnival, including a distant third in the course and distance Gr2 Singspiel three weeks ago.
First race is off at 16h30.
