Thursday’s fifth meeting of the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival at
The 1900-meter version of Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 looks a fascinating
Stable jockey James Doyle rides African Story, who like Prince Bishop, the mount
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“Emirates Flyer has improved from that first run,” bin Suroor said. “He handled
the surface and with the benefit of that run should go well.
“Prince Bishop won this well last year when African Story also ran very well.
Both need to prove themselves on the dirt but are in good form at home and
working well. They will both improve for the run but are ready for a race. This
race has been the plan for both their comebacks all along.”
Bin Suroor is seeking an 11th victory in the race.
Zambucca (Congrats) was third in this last year for Satish Seemar. He will be
ridden by Wayne Smith with stable jockey Richard Mullen, not surprisingly,
riding stable companion Surfer (Distorted Humor), winner of the 1600-meter
opening round when Zambucca was sixth.
“It was a very good performance in the first round,” Mullen said. “He really
took to the new surface and has been in good form since. The extra trip is not
an issue. This does look a stronger race but he should run well.”
Frankyfourfingers (Sunday Break) chased Surfer home four weeks ago under Mickael
Barzalona, briefly threatening to give trainer Salem bin Ghadayer a dream start
to his new career.
He should run well again and Cooptado (Equal Stripes), trained by Doug Watson
and to be ridden by Pat Dobbs, is another to consider after making a winning
start to the season in a 2000-meter Listed race on the Meydan dirt.
“He is fresh and well,” Watson said. “This is a big step up in class but he
merits it and we will find out how good he is.”
The U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas, a 1600-meter contest on the dirt, has attracted
a select field of six. Bin Suroor has already saddled the winner eight times and
has both Local Time (Invincible Spirit) and Good Place (Street Cry) in the field
this year.
They were first and fourth in the 1400-meter U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas Trial
three weeks ago. Doyle chooses to retain his association with Local Time and De
Vries rides the stable companion.
Fellow Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby introduces the unbeaten Yodelling (Medaglia
d’Oro) to the U.A.E. Winner of both her starts in England, on the Polytrack at
Kempton, she has won over 1600 meters and looks an exciting prospect.
“She is a nice filly and in great shape,” Appleby said. “We deliberately waited
for this race as the 1400-meter of the trial would have been too short for her.
This 1600-meter will be her minimum trip and she is going to improve with
distance.
“Whatever she achieves here will be a bonus heading towards the U.A.E. Oaks.”
Second in the trial was Ad Idem (Jet Master), one of two in the race for Mike de
Kock and the choice of Paul Hanagan, retained jockey for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin
Rashid Al Maktoum. His decision leaves the owner’s second jockey, Dane O’Neill,
to partner stable companion Shahrasal (Shamardal).
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