Thursday’s Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, the second of three prep
races for the Dubai World Cup, features three Group 1 and three Group 2 winners
among a quality field of 16.
Three-time Group 1 winner and 2011 Melbourne Cup star Dunaden, Durban July
victor Heavy Metal, and Hunter’s Light, winner of the final two rounds of the Al
Maktoum Challenge in 2013, head up a classy field in the 1900-meter contest over
Meydan’s all-weather track.
Group 2-winners African Story, Battle of Marengo and Prince Bishop also face
the starter in the $250,000 feature on the seven-race card.
The fifth Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting of 2014 could also be a landmark
occasion for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who will be attempting to land
a record tenth victory in this round of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
The Emirati, the most successful trainer in the history of the Dubai World
Cup Carnival, claimed an eighth victory in the opening round of the Al Maktoum
Challenge with Shuruq on January 9. And he holds a strong chance of continuing
his impressive legacy in the prestigious three-race race series by sending out
Hunter’s Light, the 2012 Godolphin Mile winner, African Story and Prince Bishop.
If Hunter’s Light wins, he will become the third horse to win two consecutive
Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 contests, following in the footsteps of2001 and
2002 winner Best of the Bests and Jack Sullivan, who repeated the feat in 2005
and 2006.
Yet jockey Silvestre de Sousa, who rode Hunter’s Light to victory in this
race last term, has deserted the horse in favor of African Story, who was fifth
in the 2013 Dubai World Cup, two places ahead of Hunter’s Light on the big
night. It is William Buick who rides Hunter’s Light with Kieren Fallon aboard
Prince Bishop.
“All three are having their first start this year but are going nicely at
home and like the surface,” bin Suroor said. “African Story has the worst draw
of the three but seems in really good form. Silvestre has chosen him and he
should run very well.
Of course, Hunter’s Light won this race and the final round of the Al Maktoum
Challenge last year. He worked well the other day and Prince Bishop always tries
very hard. I expect them all to be competitive in a strong race.”
Fellow Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby relies on Artigiano, a good third in
the Singspiel Stakes on his local debut and first start since November 2012.
“We were very pleased with that comeback run over 1600-meter on turf,” the
trainer said. “We really think the switch to the all-weather and step up in trip
will help but are not well drawn and this is obviously a better race. Hopefully
he can at least run into a place.”
South African trainer, Mike de Kock is a three-time winner of the Al Maktoum
Challenge Round 2 and Zahee, a winner just last week, arrives in great heart.
However, De Kock sounds hopeful rather than confident.
“It is never ideal running back so quickly but with his new rating of 111 my
options are somewhat restricted,” he explained. “It was only a handicap he won
last week but we think he is worth his place at this level. It looks a strong
renewal but at least he has shown his wellbeing and is fit and well.”
The 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, Surfer — runner-up in this last year
for Satish Seemar — and former Ballydoyle inmate Battle of Marengo, having his
first start for reigning U.A.E. champion trainer Ernst Oertel, are just three
others of interest in a fascinating contest.
The main support race, the U.A.E One Thousand Guineas, carries prize money of
$250,000 and is another contest dominated by Godolphin trainers, especially bin
Suroor, who is seeking an eighth win in the race, and his Ihtimal looks the one
to beat. Third in the Fillies’ Mile on her most recent start, she was a Group 2
winner at Doncaster prior to that.
“She is a lovely filly, not the biggest but very tough. She is in good form
and we expect a big run,” bin Suroor said. “Her form in England is very good,
she has a good draw and works well on the surface so she has a lot in her
favor.”
Appleby saddles two, with Mickael Barzalona aboard Wedding Ring, winner of
the 1400-meter trial three weeks ago. Martin Lane rides stable companion and
local debutante Feedyah.
“Wedding Ring should be fine over 1600 meters at Meydan and clearly relished
the surface when winning the trial,” Appleby said. “This is obviously a stronger
race and Ihtimal looks the one to beat.
“This was always the plan with Feedyah who needs at least 1600 meters and
will hopefully develop into a filly for the U.A.E. Oaks.”
De Kock, seeking a second win in a race he won in 2011 with Mahbooba, saddles
three with Christophe Soumillon choosing to ride Mensoora, well beaten against
her elders in last week’s Cape Verdi.
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