There’s no shortage of quality at Meydan Racecourse on Sunday when Dubai World Cup Carnival winner Withering is the star turn on a competitive seven-race card.
Withering – season debut should be interesting (Pic – Dubai Racing Club)
The four-year-old makes his seasonal debut in the DVCC Voyage Handicap, race four, over 2000m on turf.
Carrying the distinctive red silks of owners Victorious, the Mondialiste colt was second in the Listed Al Bastakiya last season, before running tenth in the Gr2 UAE Derby.
“Withering looks a picture,” said jockey Adrie De Vries. “The summer off did him good. He’s growing, he’s filled out and he’s back on the turf which I think is a good thing.
“The only worry is that he carries a lot of weight, but there again he’s a good horse and I’m sure he’ll run well.”
Withering’s main danger could come from the Ahmad Bin Harmash yard who send out First Winter and Influencer, the latter to be ridden by stable jockey Ray Dawson.
“He ran well last time, but was a bit keen,” said the jockey, enjoying an excellent season with 15 winners so far. “The drop in trip will definitely suit him and he seems in good form at home.”
The race also sees a re-match between Al Nayyir and Bosphorus, who were separated by just a neck when the former arrived late to grab the win over 2410metres last month.
The DVCC Expedition Handicap, race five, is also on turf, this time over 1400metres. 11 line up, including the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Open Mind, a dual winner in the UK, who is the only Godolphin runner on the card.
Open Mind faces tough opposition from Western Symphony, a winner over course and distance already this season, and his Bhupat Seemar-trained stablemate Ranchero, an eye-catching third on local debut over a mile last time out.
Eight sprinters will charge down the 1000metre turf straight in the closing DVCC.com Handicap, which looks a tough race for Pick 6 players.
Dawson rides Will To Win, yet to do so in 11 UAE starts, despite some good efforts in defeat. He is drawn in one and will make a quick return having finished fifth over 1200metres last week.
“He travelled really well last time and was last off the bridle; he just faded in the final half a furlong,” said Dawson. “The drop back to five furlongs (1000metres) should do the trick if we can overcome a bad draw.”
An open race also includes Leading Spirit, who is likely to mount a challenge from the front for the Seemar team who also run Ranaan, a winner here on dirt in November.
Earlier on, 14 maidens lock horns in the DVCC Racing Maiden, over 1600metres on turf, race two. The Mohammed Mardood-trained Chef De Partie makes a quick return after finishing fourth last week, while Desert Destination, second in handicap company last time, will be one of the favourites for in-form trainer Osama Refai.
Dawson rides Al Mofty, who looks to be up against it, having beaten only two home at Jebel Ali last time out. “Al Mofty has drawn well [4], but he will have to prove himself on turf as it’s only his second start on it,” said the jockey.
Dawson has an interesting ride 35 minutes later when he takes the reins on Magic Petition in the DVCC Adventure Handicap, over 1400metres. The three-year-old reverts to dirt, a surface on which he has placed twice, for just his fourth career start.
“He didn’t handle turf last time in a very strong race,” said the rider. “Back to dirt is big plus, He will stay well and has every chance.”
Magic Petition is one of just two three-year-olds in the race, the other being the Ismail Mohammed-trained Energetic, who was second on local debut last time out at Jebel Ali.
Qareeb and Seyaasi, both winners at Meydan Racecourse already this season, go in the penultimate race, the DVCC Elegant Lifestyle Handicap, over 1900metres on dirt. Seyaasi went up 12 handicap points after his impressive win last time out and encounters the same distance again. His rivals include Dawson’s mount Anizzah, something of a specialist over staying trips, who was sixth last time out when drawn in post 11.
“He’s very consistent horse who loves this track,” said the jockey. “He’s drawn better this time and should go well in that type of race.”
The evening’s curtain raiser is the DVCC Metaverse Conditions event, over 1600metres on dirt, for Purebred Arabians who are yet to win three races. It takes place at 6pm. For tickets and more information, visit dubairacingclub.com
