The Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians and the two Group 2 for thoroughbreds – the Al Rashidiya and Al Fahidi Fort – are the feature prizes in the fourth meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan on Thursday.
Paddy’s Day, winner of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1, once again takes on Barnamaj in the opening event of the seven-race card.
The American raider held on to win by a neck from Barnamaj over the 1,600-metre trip last month but the extended 2,200m trip could favour the latter on this occasion.
Godolphin enter a trio in both Group 2 races.
Benbatl, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and the winner of the Group 3 Singspiel on his first local start, heads the Dubai racing operation's challenge along with Charlie Appleby’s Bravo Zolo and Bay Of Poets in the Al Rashidiya.
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Read more:
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- Promising Run powers to Group 2 Cape Verdi victory on successful return to Meydan
- Sniper De Monlau showcases President's Cup credentials with narrow win in Prep race
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Bravo Zolo, under the Carnival’s leading rider William Buick (four winners), was an excellent second behind stable companion D’bai in his first start at Meydan and could go close with the benefit of that run.
Mike de Kock is double handed with Light The Lights, winner of the 2,000m handicap in his most recent start at Meydan two weeks ago, and Al Sahem, who has yet to finish worse than second in seven starts, making his first bow in Dubai.
Appleby’s D’bai and Jungle Cat and Bin Suroor’s Dream Castle head the field in the Al Fahidi Fort.
The 1,400m prize on turf again looks to favour the Godolphin runners while De Kock’s pair - Noah From Goa and Janoobi - are capable of challenging.
The Salem bin Ghadayer-trained Hornsby comes into the reckoning after a win and a second-place finish in three starts at Meydan.
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RACECARD:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$70,000 2,200m.
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 $200,000 1,800m.
7.40pm: Handicap (rated 95+) $160,000 1,200m.
8.15pm: Handicap (100-115) $135,000 1,600m.
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 $250,000 1,400m.
9.25pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,400m.
10pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 2,410m.
