|
|
Dubai Prince makes UAE debut in Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Thursday's fixture of the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival should be the best of the meeting so far, featuring the middle rounds of the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge, the Group 3 UAE Two Thousand Guineas and Group 3 Firebreak Stakes. The Al Maktoum Challenge Round II over 1900 meters on the all-weather Tapeta surface has been upgraded to Group 2 status this year and 11 have been declared for a race won in 2003 by subsequent Dubai World Cup victor Moon Ballad. Moon Ballad is one of seven winners of the race trained by Godolphin handler Saeed bin Suroor, who saddles three runners this year. Prince Bishop looks the best hope under Silvestre De Sousa, although stablemate Mendip is a course and distance winner. However, both have been deserted by the stable's go-to jockey Frankie Dettori, who rides UAE debutant Dubai Prince for the other Godolphin trainer, Mahmoud Al Zarooni. A high-class juvenile when trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld and winning both his starts for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the four-year-old son of Shamardal was switched to Godolphin for his classic campaign in 2011 but managed only two starts in the autumn after an injury in the spring. He won the first of them before struggling in the Group 1 Champion Stakes and is joined in this field by fellow four-year-old Biondetti, who also only managed two runs last year after having won in Group1 company as a juvenile in 2010. "Obviously this is a tough race but they are nice horses and ones we are very much looking forward to running at the Carnival," Al Zarooni said. "They had their problems last year but are in good form now and we will find out a lot about them." Master of Hounds, runner-up in Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round I last month behind stablemate Musir, looks a big danger and his trainer Mike de Kock, is seeking a fourth win in the race. "We were delighted with that first run as he will have needed it and 1600 meters is short enough for him," de Kock said. "He should run well." Bold Silvano won this race for de Kock last year and runs for the first time since going against eight rivals in the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes over 1600 meters. "We really thought he was our (Group 1 Dubai) World Cup horse last year but sadly missed the race through injury and we have given him all the time he needed," de Kock explained. "He is working well and, hopefully, this is the first step towards the 2012 Dubai World Cup." The UAE Two Thousand Guineas, restricted to three-year-olds, is also over 1600 meters on the all-weather and nine have been declared, headed by Singapore raider Dark Matter, who won the 1400 meter trial a month ago and followed up in a 1400 meter turf handicap against his elders a fortnight later. Trained by Steven Burridge, he will be ridden by Ted Durcan as he has been for both wins.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
