With five runners from four different countries, Friday’s Gr2 Cape Verdi (Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors) at Meydan, the feature on the nine-race Dubai Racing Carnival card, is a truly international affair.
The select field might be in part due to the presence of one of the UAE runners, Romantic Style, who will aim to improve her owner Godolphin’s already excellent record in this AED850,000 1600metre turf event.
They have won it 11 times and Romantic Style could add to that if able to reproduce the form which saw her win the Gr3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville in April, or her fourth in the Gr1 Poule de Essai des Pouliches a month later.
Ultima is one of five runners in the Gr2 Cape Verdi (Pic – DRC)
“We are very pleased with Romantic Style heading into her seasonal return and her preparation has gone well,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “This is a starting point ahead of a potential European campaign and, if she runs to the level she showed in the French Guineas, it will make her the one to beat. Hopefully, this can set her up for a good year.”
One of Romantic Style’s opponents, Easywithme, boasts an impressive record of four wins from six starts, since being purchased at Goffs for just €6000.
“She’s a smart little filly, although obviously she has a few pounds to find,” said Norway-based trainer Niels Petersen. “She’s only run six times and she hasn’t done a lot wrong. She ran against the Danish filly [Ultima] but on very heavy ground which she just didn’t handle.
“She’s going to love the ground, love the distance and I wouldn’t be surprised if she picked up a nice cheque.”
The field is completed by the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Choisya, a five-time winner, Ultima (pictured), representing Denmark-based trainer Veronika Jandova, and Ziggy’s Dream, who makes her second Carnival start for British trainer Alice Haynes.
Three-year-old fillies star in the second most valuable race on the card, the AED400 000 Cocoa Beach Stakes, over 1600m on dirt.
The field of nine includes Salem Bin Ghadayer’s Arigatou Goziamasu, who was a runaway debut winner before finishing eighth against the colts, and Flama Sunshine and Queen Azteca, who finished one-two last time out in the Shahama Stakes over 1400m.
“Flama Sunshine is doing great,” said Seemar, who runs four in the race. “So is Salsabil Princess, although she’s drawn a bit wide out. The other two are also doing well.
“I think the step up in distance will suit Reina Rosso and Pocket Phone as well. She would have learned a lot from her first race and up in distance will probably suit her. She’s from the family of [Listed Dubai Creek Mile winner] Al Nefud and they get better with age.”
Petersen is hoping to go one better with Queen Azteca, who did her best work late last time.
“We’re really looking forward to her,” he said. “She’ll definitely be better up in distance and she’s improved a lot from the run, so we’re hopeful with her and she’s our best chance on the night.”
- Kosciuszko Needs Luck to Change
Earlier on, the first of five turf races is the Defender Handicap, race two, over 1900metres. Top weight is carried by Mount Kosciuszko, who looked very unlucky when short of room last time on dirt.
“I have no concerns about switching surface at all with Mount Kosciuszko, as he won on it in England,” said trainer Julio Olascoaga. “He looks like a very versatile horse and I’m waiting for him to prove that on Friday.
“He’s been getting better with every race. He was very unlucky last time out when he should have won and that race wasn’t weak at all. We have managed to book Mickael Barzalona, who in my opinion is one of the best around Meydan, so I think we have a good chance.
“Thanks to the ERA [Emirates Racing Authority] for splitting the race and giving everyone a chance to run.”
Mount Kosciuszko’s 13 rivals include Lunatick for Spanish Champion Trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta, who celebrated a winner last week with Thundering.
“We bought him in September from Hughie Morrison, so he has never run for us,” he said. “We are pleased with him. He has done plenty in Madrid and should be ready for his first race in Dubai, but we are still learning with him.”
Arizkorreta runs Shamran in the second division of the race, the closing Defender Sedona Edition Handicap, which has 13 runners.
“We bought him in the Horses in Training Sale in October,” he said. “He has got a lovely temperament and we are happy with the way he is training. It’s his first run for us but we expect a good show.
- Castlewarden Bids to Uphold Family Honour
One of the most fascinating races on the card is the Defender 525 Edition Handicap, race eight, over 1400metres on dirt. It features the local debut of Castlewarden, four-year-old full brother to Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River, who is trained by Seemar.
“Castlewarden is ready to run,” said Seemar.
“He seems like a nice horse. Unfortunately, he’s drawn nine of nine, but then that didn’t stop his brother! [Laurel River was drawn 12 of 12 in the Dubai World Cup.] Hopefully he can get out and get up there.”
Doug Watson (Pic -Supplied)
Doug Watson runs two, including dual course winner Mubakker, who returns after a prolonged absence.
“Mubakker is doing great,” said the trainer. “We had him ready for Super Saturday last season but he came slightly lame from his final work, so we had to stop with him again.
“He’s going to be almost two years off the track which is a long layoff, so I’m not sure, fitness-wise. He’s been good fresh but this is the first time it’s been two years.”
Watson also runs local debutant Olzhakhan, winner of six of his 16 starts in Kazakhstan and Russia.
“Olzhakhan is a really nice horse,” continued the trainer. “He’s the highest-rated one we’ve had from Kazakhstan [100]. I don’t know if the trip might be a little short, but it’s a nice place to start him off.”
- Racing begins at 15h30 with the Defender 90 Handicap, for Purebred Arabians over 1400m on dirt.
