‘Tis the season to be jolly… that’s certainly the case for racing fans at Meydan as the iconic racetrack hosts six pattern races on a bumper ‘Festive Friday’ Carnival card.
Undoubtedly the night’s star name is Measured Time, who has the chance to make history if becoming the first ever dual winner of the Gr2 Al Rashidiya [Sponsored by Emaar].
Measured Time – can make history (Pic – DRC)
Charlie Appleby’s four-year-old followed up his win in this race last year with success in the Gr1 Jebel Hatta, before a fourth in the Gr1 Dubai Turf. He then added a first US success, beating stablemate and multiple Gr1 winner Nations Pride in the Gr1 Manhattan at Saratoga.
“Measured Time has had a nice break and goes in stronger to this year’s Al Rashidiya,” said Appleby, who has won four of the last five runnings of the 1800m turf contest.
“We’re looking forward to him starting his Dubai campaign on Friday.”
Among his rivals is Royal Dubai, a three-time Meydan winner, who returns after a summer campaign in the UK.
“He did really well in Dubai last season, improving 15lbs and winning two races,” said trainer Lucie Botti.
“He’s proved he belongs in this company, but he’s had a little break so it’s going to be stepping stones to bigger things.”
The international contingent is bolstered by Sean, trained by Jamie Osborne. He was perhaps unfortunate not to win in Dubai last season, finishing fourth in the Gr2 Zabeel Mile, second in the Gr3 Dubai Millennium and third in the Gr2 Singspiel Stakes.
“Sean is back again in an attempt to avenge last year’s unlucky defeats,” said Osborne. It’s not going to be easy for him but we are hopeful he can have a fruitful Meydan campaign this year.
“Measured Time should be in a league of his own and it’s likely Sean will tighten up for the run. We are probably all playing for second. This race will tell us whether his next run should be the Zabeel Mile or the Lord North [Handicap].”
The only last time out winner in the field is Daramethos, who landed a competitive renewal of the Listed National Day Cup at Abu Dhabi on his debut for trainer Julio Olascoaga.
“He’s recovered well from that race and I think 1800metres is the perfect trip for him on turf,” he said. “It’s a tough race, he has to face what is probably one of the best horses in the world,” but I think he will make us proud.”
The official feature is the AED1million Gr2 Al Maktoum Mile, which is an early pointer towards the Dubai World Cup and Godolphin Mile. It has attracted a field of six, including Bhupat Seemar’s exciting new recruit Artorius and Clapton, trained by Doug Watson.
“Artorius won the Curlin Stakes in America, but hasn’t been here that long, so we’re still finding out about him,” said Seemar. “He’s by a Grade I winner [Arrogate] and out of a Grade 1 winner [Paulassilverlining] so he’s certainly bred for the job,”
Watson has taken over Clapton from US-based handler Chad Summers, who trained the gelding to third in the Gr1 Maktoum Challenge and the Gr2 Maktoum Classic, before an 11th place finish in the Dubai World Cup.
“He had a busy schedule for three years,” said the Watson. “He’s had some time off and he’s fresh and well with us. He’s won over a mile seven, mile sixteenth… I don’t think the drop back in trip is a problem. We’re just going to let him run where he’s happy.”
Also in the line-up is Listed Dubai Creek Mile winner Meshtri, who beat the re-opposing Qareeb and Desert Wisdom last time out.
The card stages two Listed races, beginning with the Ertijaal Dubai Dash (Sponsored by Emaar] in which the Czech-trained Ponntos will defend his crown.
The winner of this in 2023, Ponntos has since raced in Italy, France and the UK. He also gets a new jockey; Pat Cosgrave taking over on the son of Power.
“Ponntos arrived one week ago,” said trainer Miroslav Nieslanik. “It was not completely easy as there was quite a big change in temperature, but after a few days he was OK.
“It’s his first race after a break, so it’s a prep for bigger targets in January and February. Of course we would like to win again, but it won’t be easy.”
Ponntos, who must concede 3lbs to the field due to a pair of Group wins in France, faces eight rivals in the 1000metre contest, including the very smart Bilhayl, fourth in the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint on his latest outing.
A strong bunch of 1400metre specialists square off in a fascinating edition of the Listed Business Bay Challenge, race three, on turf.
Two among them boast Group 1 wins, including 2023 Al Quoz Sprint winner Danyah, who makes his seasonal reappearance, and Satu, who won the Gr1 Gran Premio Joaquin de Anchorena at San Isidro in December 2022. He makes his debut here for Olascoaga, having formerly been trained by Juan Etchechoury in Argentina.
“He has to overcome some time without running, nearly a year,” said the trainer. “He had some issues in the past, but he seems to be over them now and he’s looking like a nice horse for the season here. Most likely he will try the dirt later as he’s been training well on it.
“Francisco Leandro Goncalves, Champion Jockey in Argentina, takes the ride because he is retained by the owners, Stud Las Monjitas, and we are happy to have him here.”
Olascoaga also runs El Patriota, the mount of Adrie De Vries, and added: “El Patriota didn’t have the best run first time out, disappointing in Abu Dhabi and in his second run he was very close to the pace. I think he will appreciate being back in trip and back at Meydan.
“I’m confident he’s going to return to his old form, and if he does he’ll be a leading contender.”
The third of the Listed contests, The Entisar (sponsored by Emaar) features the remarkable veteran Military Law, who runs in this for a third time, having won it back in 2019 and finished second last year.
His Gr2 Maktoum Classic win in March means he concedes weight all nine rivals, who include Auto Bahn, second to Japanese star Forever Young in the Gr2 UAE Derby when last seen.
The son of Asiatic Boy is now trained by Watson, who said: “He is in great shape. Obviously, there are bigger goals going forward, but I’m really happy with the way he is training.”
Watson has another exciting prospect in the Shahama Stakes (sponsored by Emaar), race three, for two-year-old fillies on dirt.
He runs Ruby Hamilton who got upset in the Parade Ring prior to finishing third to the re-opposing Arigatou Gozaimasu on debut.
“She’s so good at home that I was surprised how wired she was,” he said. “She also broke tardy, the speed held up and she didn’t quite know what to do.
“She’s put on a little weight and been paddock schooling since. We think a lot of her, and the further she goes, the better.”
Arigatou Gozaimasu could be tough to beat again, however, and trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer issued an upbeat bulletin.
“She had a quiet ten days after her last race and came back sound and healthy,” reported the trainer. “I’m so happy with her – she should be so much better than she was first time out. I hope to see the improvement from her.”
The nine-race card begins with a Group 1 for Purebred Arabians, Maktoum Challenge Round I, over a mile on dirt.
A strong field of 13 includes Barakka, an agonising nose second to Tilal Al Khalediah in the Gr1 Kahayla Classi last time out.
He sets the standard, but those out to get him include AF Alajaj, for trainer Ernst Oetel and leading Arabian breeder Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda.
“I believe he’ll run well,” said Karl Oertel, Racing Manager to the owner. “Tadhg [O’Shea, jockey] said he felt like the horse of old last time out, but of course you have to respect Barakka.”
The racemeeting starts at 15h30.
