Safety Check seeks third DWCC win in Zabeel Mile; Local Time tops UAE Oaks

Safety Check set a new course record while earning his first stakes score in the Al Fahidi Fort (Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

Thursday’s eighth meeting of the 2015 Dubai World Cup
Carnival at Meydan Racecourse is arguably the best with three feature races,
highlighted by the Zabeel Mile (UAE-G2).

Eleven have been declared for the 1600 meter turf feature, including Godolphin’s
Safety Check (Dubawi), trained by Charlie Appleby and seeking a third 2015 Carnival
victory having won a 1400 meter handicap in his seasonal debut and the Al Fahidi Fort
(UAE-G2) over the same course and distance.

The mount of William Buick, who was aboard when he won the Al Fahidi Fort, will
be penalized for that victory and have to contend with an extra 200 meters this week.

“He has really thrived since arriving in Dubai and remains in great form,” Appleby
said. “The Meydan turf course really suits him and he should run another big
race but the penalty obviously makes life harder for him.

“The 1400 meters has really suited him for his two wins this year and has to
prove himself as effective over 1600 meters but he has won over the trip at
Newmarket as a juvenile.”

Appleby also saddles Outstrip (Exceed and Excel), winner of the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Turf (G1) and Champagne S. (Eng-G2), in the same race with James Doyle in the saddle. He will make his second
start of the campaign having been well beaten in the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge
(UAE-G2).

Local Time stepped up big time to give Saeed bin Suroor his ninth U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas win (Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

The main support race on Thursday at Meydan is the UAE Oaks (UAE-G3) with only six declared for the
1900 meters dirt contest, headed by Godolphin’s Local Time (Invincible Spirit).
The bay lass captured the UAE One Thousand Guineas last out and has gone 5-0-0
from six starts thus far in her career, including victory in the Oh So Sharp S.
(Eng-G3) last October at Newmarket.

Doyle rides for trainer Saeed bin Suroor and the pair look certain to be hard to
beat.

“She won the Guineas very well,” noted bin Suroor who is seeking a 10th win
in this race. “Her work has been very good and she should cope with the step up
in trip from 1600 meters. We expect her to run very well.”

Local Time’s stablemate Good Place (Street Cry), who chased her home in the UAE
One Thousand Guineas and finished second by 3 1/4 lengths, could
be her main danger.

“She will appreciate the step up in trip,” bin Suroor said. “She is in good
shape at home and will run a big race.”