Godolphin to claim Zabeel Stakes at Meydan

Ed Marnane

Godolphin has dominated the earlier weeks of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and that trend can continue at Meydan on Friday.

Classic runner-up Master Of The Seas, trained by Charlie Appleby, spearheads a five-strong Godolphin challenge in the Zabeel Stakes, the Group 2 showpiece of the seven-race card.

By the all-conquering Dubawi, Master Of The Seas was only denied by a short head in the 2021 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and holds major claims of giving Appleby a record sixth win in the race.

James Doyle, who has enjoyed a fantastic start to the year, rides Modern News for Appleby. A consistent and reliable type, he enjoyed a productive campaign in the UK last year, winning the Spring Cup and Royal Windsor Stakes (Listed). He should go well under his red-hot rider.

First run in 2007, the Zabeel Stakes was last won by an overseas runner in 2018 when Mike de Kock’s Janoobi took the prize under Jim Crowley. This year’s international challenge is led by David O’Meara’s Shelir and I Am Superman, a first ride for Irish Champion Colin Keane since 2014. The son of Footstepsinthesand is back with his former trainer Michael O’Callaghan after a stint with Peter Snowden in Australia, where he ran second in the Sir Rupert Clarke, Group 1, at Caulfield in September.

Earlier, Salem bin Ghadayer’s Mimi Kakushi makes plenty of appeal in the UAE 1000 Guineas, the first Classic of the season, Race 4. The daughter of City Of Light has progressed with racing and caught the eye in the prep, defeating the Doug Watson-trained pair Asawer and Awasef. Bin Ghadayer has his team in good heart and his three-year-olds are running well. Seven days ago Tiger Nation advertised his claims as the horse to beat in the UAE 2000 Guineas next month with a dominant victory in the prep.

Asawer, the choice of Pat Dobbs, Watson’s stable jockey, will appreciate stepping up to a mile having kept on nicely in the closing stages for second in the prep. The Nyquist filly looks the main threat to Tiger Nation.

Silva, shock winner in 2019, was the last overseas winner in a race local fillies have dominated since the first running in 2001. Cite D’Or, a first UAE runner for Newmarket trainer Harry Eustace, faces a stiff task on her dirt debut and it is hard to see her making any impression. She’s not bred for dirt and is readily ruled out, despite having the services of William Buick.

Race 2, the first handicap, over 1200m on dirt, is competitive despite only attracting seven runners. Unexposed Colour Up has improved for joining Doug Watson and comes chasing a hat-trick of wins this season. He impressed on his handicap debut at Jebel Ali and won’t be inconvenienced switching to Meydan, a venue he won a maiden earlier in the campaign.

Last season’s UAE 2000 Guineas trial winner Rawy will ensure a strong pace and is entitled to respect, stepping down in a grade after a respectable effort behind Switzerland in the Dubawi Stakes two weeks ago.

Of the others, My Dubawi can’t be overlooked. He made a bright start to his UAE career at Jebel Ali on Friday, impressing the manner he travelled before powering clear in the closing stages. He has to have a big chance.

Race 6, the Listed Al Khail Trophy, an early prep for the Dubai Gold Cup, is wide-open and hard to have a strong view. Wickywickywheels continued her remarkable progress she made for Jim Goldie when winning the Listed Abu Championship last month on her local debut for Bhupat Seemar. She’s a filly that comes here in great form and demands obvious respect.

The tough Get Shirty, trained by David O’Meara, was a progressive stayer last year and is one to consider, while 2022 Derby Italiano winner Ardakan, now under the care of Marco Botti, has to enter calculations as well.

However, the vote goes to the locally trained Away He Goes, trained by Ismail Mohammed. The son of Farhh, who has run well at Meydan in the past, made an encouraging comeback behind Wickywickywheels at Abu Dhabi, leaving the impression he would be sharper for the run. The step up to 2810m will suit and the booking of the in-form Mickael Barzalona is a bonus.

BEST BET

Race 2 No 5 Colour Up

BEST VALUE

Race 3 No 4 Thunder Of Niagara

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 5-Colour Up and 1-Rawy

JACKPOT

(Races 4 to 7)

R64

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 6

Leg 3: 3, 4, 6, 8

Leg 4: 6, 7, 13, 14