The prep race for the course and distance Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic, the 2410m on turf $228 000 Gr2 Dubai City Of Gold sponsored by Emirates Holidays at Meydan today has been won by Godolphin in each of the last four years, six in seven and eight in eleven.
Seeking a fourth consecutive success, Charlie Appleby relies on hot favourite Walton Street, a 7-year-old Cape Cross gelding who won the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic Handicap on his sole appearance this year. That was six weeks ago.
WALTON STREET (GB) ridden by William Buick wins the 12 F Listed Handicap, The Dubai Racing Club Classic Sponsored By Aliyah By Azizi, race 2, at Meydan Dubai World Cup Carnival.
Appleby said: “Walton Street was very impressive on his first start of the season and the form of that race has worked out well. It was always the plan to then come straight here and his preparation has gone nicely. This is a step up in class, but he deserves his chance at this level.”
A race inaugurated in 1998, Saeed bin Suroor has saddled the winner on no less than ten occasions, six of them ridden by Frankie Dettori who is aboard Dubai Warrior for John Gosden.
Bin Suroor saddles three though with Pat Cosgrave aboard Dubai Future seemingly the main hope ahead of Brilliant Light and Desert Fire, the mounts of Harry Bentley and Andrea Atzeni respectively.
Bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future is a tough horse, who always tries his best. This looks the right race for him and he appears to have a good chance.
“Desert Fire will be suited by the return to this distance and has been going well at home. I was very pleased with Brilliant Light’s effort in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy and he is ready to go again.
