Marc Chan’s well-regarded Kinross will get a second chance at a good Dubai impression on Thursday when the 4-year-old son of Kingman starts in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya, a turf course and 1800m distance prep for the Gr1 $4 million Dubai Turf in just over six weeks.
Kinross training on Feb. 9 at Meydan (Pic- Michael Adolphson)
Three weeks ago, the bay Ralph Beckett trainee was a disappointing sixth of nine (as 15/2 third market choice) after encountering traffic problems in the course and distance Gr2 Singspiel –a race won by 2019 Gr1 Queen Anne conqueror Lord Glitters (8/1 fourth market choice). The dual winner from eight starts and respectable Gr1 2000 Guineas sixth seeks a return to the form that saw him land Kempton’s Listed Hyde Stakes three months ago in excellent style over Khuzaam.
“We are looking forward to Thursday,” Beckett said. “I think it’s likely that Kinross will be more competitive this time than the first time in Dubai. I think he’s got into a good rhythm in the last fortnight and we were pleased with his six-furlong work on the training track grass last Wednesday on 3 Feb 2021. He should be competitive.”
Kinross will have to step up to his optimum to match the form of Elwick Stud’s Lord Glitters, who was third in Almond Eye’s 2019 Dubai Turf. The David O’Meara pupil looked in his element over nine furlongs of flat, good Meydan going–just as on Dubai World Cup day two years ago–easily dismissing his Singspiel rivals and those who suspected Father Time had caught up with the 8-year-old ghostly son of Whipper.
“He’s coping fine with winter in Dubai,” O’Meara said. “He’s cantered away and had a few spins on the grass since he last ran. He doesn’t take a lot of work between races. I’m never confident going into any race, but he’s got a 1.5kg penalty for a reason and hopefully he can be competitive again under it.
“Nine furlongs around a bend does suit him very well,” O’Meara continued. “He’s had two goes at it–a win and a third in the Dubai Turf–so I would say it’s about his best trip at the moment. He’ll run hopefully in the Jebel Hatta (Gr1, March 6) and Dubai Turf (Gr1, March 27) after this race on Thursday.”
Both of the aforementioned will compete for favouritism with Singspiel runner-up Zakouski, who has done little wrong in seven lifetime starts, including a win in last year’s Zabeel Mile (Gr2). Last out, he was simply outkicked by Lord Glitters, but has every right to progress.
Godolphin’s 2019 Al Rashidiya winner Dream Castle, Royal Ascot victor Bless Him, Gr3-placed Court House and Ed Walker-trained handicapper Cap Francais complete the lineup.
