Dubai World Cup hopefuls get ideal Meydan workout

posted on 09/02/2012: 71 views

Dubai World Cup hopefuls Bold Silvano, Prince Bishop, Master Of Hounds and Dubai Prince are among the horses in action at Meydan this evening as the Dubai World Cup Carnival steps up a gear.

The Group 2 Maktoum Challenge II, over 1900m on Tapeta, is the Thoroughbred feature and all eyes will be on Godolphin's Dubai Prince making his UAE debut and only the third start for Mahmood Al Zarooni.

Unbeaten at two, when trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld for HH Sheikh Mohammed, he switched to Godolphin for 2011 but only ran twice after an injury ravaged season.

He won well on his first start in a Newbury conditions race but was never dangerous in the Group 1 Champion Stakes subsequently.

This will be his first start since, but he has the services of Frankie Dettori in the saddle from five runners trained by Godolphin handlers.

Stable companion Biondetti will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and Al Zarooni said: "Biondetti was a Group 1 winner for us in 2010 but only ran twice last year, as did Dubai Prince. They are both nice horses and two we are really looking forward to running at this year's Carnival.”

Fellow Godolphin handler Saeed bin Suroor has saddled the winner of this race seven times, including with subsequent Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad in 2003. He has three runners this time with Prince Bishop, 10th in the 2011 Dubai World Cup, looking the main hope under Silvestre De Sousa.

Dettori was in the saddle when the 5yo was the ultra impressive winner of a handicap on his return three weeks ago and the Italian has been in the saddle when stable companion Mendip has won on four occasions locally, so Dettori riding Dubai Prince does look significant.

South African Mike De Kock has a tremendous Carnival record since its inception in 2004, but one race he has not won is the Dubai World Cup. He relies on Master Of Hounds in this race and the 4yo looks a serious World Cup prospect after chasing home stable companion Musir in Maktoum Challenge I over an inadequate 1600m.

De Kock won this race last year with Bold Silvano, who makes his first start since in the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes over 1600m. Sadly ruled out of last year's World Cup through injury, De Kock is looking forward to getting him back on course and said: "We have always thought he was a genuine World Cup horse and it was a big shame he missed the race last year. Hopefully, we will get a chance this year to show just how good he is, and this is the first step.”

Like the Firebreak Stakes, the UAE 2000 Guineas is also over 1600m on Tapeta but restricted to the Classic generation (3yos). De Kock's Mickdaam makes plenty of appeal and Godolphin are again well represented with Kinglet and Rassam, but all three were behind Dark Matter in the trial over 1400m. Trained by Steven Burridge from Singapore, Dark Matter has also won a 1400m turf handicap since and Ted Durcan, in the saddle on both occasions, maintains the partnership.

The first race on a cracking card is the only Purebred Arabian contest, the 2400m Group 1 Maktoum Challenge II. HH Sheikh Hamdan has three runners with his first jockey Richard Hills choosing to ride the progressive Takaamul. Sahib Du Clos looks a big danger if recovered from his exertions from Abu Dhabi last Sunday but Albar Lotois looks the one to beat for trainer Eric Lemartinel who saddled Nieshan to win HH The President's Cup at Abu Dhabi last Sunday. – Sports 360°

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