Thursday’s final meeting of the 2011 Dubai International Racing Carnival
features an ultra-competitive Zabeel Mile (UAE-G2) sending an overflow field of
16 about eight furlongs on the turf course at Meydan. It is a last chance for
those seeking a Dubai World Cup night berth and a competitive card has been
assembled.
Trained in Qatar by Ibrahim Al Malki, HEARTS OF FIRE (Firebreak) looms a big
threat in the Zabeel Mile after two very promising runs already at the Carnival
and Adrie De Vries rides here rather than in Doha on this occasion. The Group
1-winning juvenile was an expensive purchase last year, but his best finish in
2010 came as a third-placing in the St. James’s Palace S. (G1) in mid-June.
“We have been pleased with his efforts and hopefully he can build on them,”
Al Malki said. “The wide draw is not ideal perhaps but we have to be hopeful.”
English trainer Alan Jarvis won this in 2008, when the race was divided into
two heats, with Wise Dennis and saddles a similar sort this year in NAVAJO CHIEF
(King’s Best). Winner of a handicap last time, he has been in good form
throughout the Carnival.
“He deserved that win after some good efforts and this is the ideal chance to
step him up in class,” Jarvis said. “Obviously it is a lot tougher race but he
is fit and well.”
Just behind Navajo Chief when he won were KAVANGO (Cape Cross [Ire]) and
FAREER (Bahamian Bounty), who have to be respected in a wide open contest.
Another to win a handicap last time is the Tracey Collins-trained ACROSS THE
RHINE (Cuvee), whose enthusiastic owner Jimmy Long remarked, “He deserves his
chance in this company after two great turf runs at the Carnival. It is a big
step up in class but we expect a big run.”
Royal Ascot winners could hold the key to the main support race, the about
16-furlong DRC Gold Cup (UAE-G3), which is also on the grass and the longest race of the
UAE season. BERGO (Silvano [Ger]) was a winner at England’s biggest meeting last
year, as was MIKHAIL GLINKA (Galileo [Ire]), and it is the latter, now trained
by Herman Brown, who is strongly fancied in this event.
Last year’s winner SABOTAGE (Halling) again clashes with runner-up AGE OF
REASON (Halling) and fourth, WHISPERING GALLERY (Daylami [Ire]). All three are
trained by Saeed bin Suroor, as is LA DE TWO (Galileo [Ire]), and, as he did
last year, Frankie Dettori elects to partner Whispering Gallery.
Luca Cumani trains DRUNKEN SAILOR (Tendulkar), who can certainly not be
discounted, while Saudi Arabia’s MULLER (El Compinche) was fourth in the 2009
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) in his sole previous visit to the UAE. It is hard to
know what to make of his chances over a new trip and not having previously raced
on turf.