The Group 2 Zabeel Mile, one of three black-type events on a six-race card
Thursday, is the feature at Meydan’s eighth meeting of the 2014 Dubai World Cup
Carnival and last year’s winner, Trade Storm, is back to defend his title, while
Godolphin’s Ihtimal bids for a U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas/U.A.E. Oaks double.
Trained in England by David Simcock, Trade Storm was very impressive winning
the 1600-meter turf feature 12 months ago, having his third start of the
campaign. This year he arrives in the starting gates with one run under his
belt, when finishing 10th in the Al Rashidiya over the longer trip of 1800
meters.
“He needed that first run badly,” Simcock said. “He has come out of that in
great form and is exactly where we want him to be weight wise. He improved an
awful lot from his first run last season and we expect him to do so again. All
being well, he will run a big race and then we will get him back out next week
for Super Saturday.”
Trade Storm faces seven rivals, including a trio trained by South African
Mike de Kock, who is seeking a fourth win in the race.
Mushreq won the Singspiel Stakes on the opening night of the Carnival. He
then found stable companion Mujaarib too strong in the Al Rashidiya. Paul
Hanagan rides.
Stable companion Anaerobio also won on the first night of the Dubai World Cup
Carnival, in his case a 1400-meter handicap, before following up in the Al
Fahidi Fort over the same distance.
A close fifth in a handicap last week under Pat Cosgrave, Anaeobio has
Christophe Soumillon back in the saddle here with Cosgrave aboard stablemate
Gale Force Ten. Cosgrave’s mount, winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot
last year for Aidan O’Brien, he is having a third start for his new yard.
“All three are in good form at home and arrive here with chances in what
appears an open contest,” de Kock said. “Anaerobio has the worst of the draw and
may not quite be up to this challenge as he has to give weight away.
“Mushreq should certainly go well, while Gale Force Ten has improved with
each run so far and should be spot on now. Hopefully all three will run big
races.”
Gabrial was a first U.A.E. winner for trainer Richard Fahey when winning a
handicap on his penultimate start, having previously chased home Mushreq in the
Singspiel.
When Anaerobio won the Al Fahidi Fort, he was chased home by Mshawish,
representing French trainer Mikel Delzangles. That horse is in opposition again
with Richard Hughes replacing Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
Meanwhile, in the fillies ranks, Ihtimal, winner of the U.A.E. One Thousand
Guineas three weeks ago, will attempt to emulate Satin Kiss, Folk and Cocoa
Beach by following up in the Group 3 U.A.E. Oaks. She faces eight rivals in the
1900-meter all-weather contest, restricted to three-year-old fillies, all of
whom finished behind her in the Guineas. She is trained by Saeed bin Suroor who
has already saddled the winner of this race on eight occasions.
“She is a very nice filly,” bin Suroor said. “Her form in England was very
good and she switched that level of performance to the all-weather in the
Guineas. Her work since has been good and I think the extra 300 meters will suit
her. She should go very close.”
Again De Kock has three runners, arguably headed by Mensoora, runner-up to
Ihtimal three weeks ago, but the trainer sounds hopeful rather than confident.
“Ihtimal has proven Group race form in Europe and obviously coped with the
all-weather surface well in the Guineas. She is going to be very hard to beat
but it is a horse race and anything can happen. Mensoora would be our main
hope.”
Third in the Guineas was Feedyah, trained by Charlie Appleby who said: “It
was always the plan to go straight to the Guineas and then here. She has
improved with that run behind her and the extra 300 meters will suit but Ihtimal
is going to be hard to beat.”
Ten have been declared for the Meydan Classic, a 1400-meter Listed turf race
for three-year-olds. The Pat Shanahan-trained Dolce N Karama was fourth in the
Racing Post Trophy on the second of his three career starts. He was eighth in
the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas Trial on his sole local outing six weeks ago,
but the return to turf should suit.
Winner of his only start in England, Wednaan made a very promising local
debut when third in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas. He is trained by de Kock,
as is Jallota, ninth in the same race.
“Both our two are big runners and going very nicely in the mornings,” de Kock
said. “Wednaan is the form choice but ignore Jallota at your peril — he has
really improved over the last two weeks.”
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