Ed Marnane
Charlie Appleby continues to bang in the winners in the UAE this season, a double at Meydan last week took his tally to 17 wins for the campaign. The Godolphin trainer returns to Dubai’s flagship track with five runners on the 11th night of the Dubai Racing Carnival on Saturday.
Appleby, who is operating at a sensational 43% strike rate in the Emirates this winter, can win Race 2, the 1600m conditions race for three-year-olds, with Beautiful Love, the mount of William Buick.
The Godolphin-owned homebred made an encouraging comeback when second to Cinderella’s Dream in the Jumeirah Fillies Classic, staying on nicely in the closing stages despite a tardy start. She should relish the opportunity going up to 1600m and will take plenty of beating.
Jumeirah Guineas runner-up Athan, trained by Fawzi Nass and owned by Gulf Racing Club, rates the chief threat despite having to concede 6.5kg to Appleby’s filly. Bred in Argentina, he has progressed with racing since joining Nass and showed improved form when chasing home Legend Of Time at this course two weeks ago.
Athan, the highest rated runner in today’s line-up with a lofty mark of 96, made late headway in the Jumeriah Guineas but never threatened the impressive winner, who looks an exciting prospect and has the potential to be a candidate for European Classics later in the year.
Race 6, the Lord Glitters Handicap has attracted full field of 16 and Appleby runs three horses — Highbank, Imperial Emperor and First Sight, who is Buick’s choice. He disappointed on his UAE debut when sent off a warm favourite for an 1800m handicap, trailing in a poor 10th in the 13-runner event. He has plenty to prove now and makes little appeal in a competitive handicap.
Former Irish champion apprentice Andrew Slattery, who has made a good impression since joining Zabeel Stables, has been booked to ride Laser Guided for in-form Simon and Ed Crisford.
He ran well on his local debut last month, splitting Franz Kafka and Keffaaf on his first start for 200 days. He missed a recent outing when withdrawn at the start after getting fractious in the stalls.
The Kingman gelding is getting weight from his 15 rivals and isn’t drawn badly in stall No 8. He’s one to consider if on his best behaviour at the start.
Of the rest, Ouzo, Track Of Time and Silent Film makes most appeal. The last-named, trained by Ian Williams, might have won at Meydan last month with a clear passage. Track Of Time, the sole French runner, is very unexposed and both starts in Dubai this season were solid efforts.
Ouzo was given a terrific ride by Andre de Vries, who brought the Jamie Osborne-trained gelding with a well-time ride to deny Silent Film and 11 others. The eight-year-old now has the assistance of Osborne’s daughter, Saffie, and is drawn near the rail so should enjoy a ground-saving trip.
Appleby and Buick combine with Nature Watch in Race 3, the mile maiden on dirt. The son of 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin showed promise on his racecourse debut at Wolverhampton three months ago, finishing a neck behind Assail. He failed to build on that promise at Lingfield, weakening to finish a poor sixth and looked one-paced in the closing stages.
Being by Curlin he’s likely to improve switching to dirt. In a race that lacks strength in depth, he has a good opportunity to shed his maiden tag if recapturing his Wolverhampton form.
Doug Watson saddles consistent Nyaar. Frustratingly for his connections, he has finished second in his last three starts but has done little wrong each time, just finding one too good.
He’s effective on dirt and shapes like going up to a mile will suit. He has the assistance of Pat Dobbs and won’t be far away. Race 4, the opening handicap over 1400m on turf, looks wide-open, understandably with a maximum field of 16 declared, and luck in running and an untroubled passage will be essential. Changing Colours, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, caused a shock last time when making all in a handicap over the same course and distance under an enterprising ride from Sandro Pavia.
Drawn in stall No 6, he should be able to find the lead once again and if allowed an uncontested lead, he has sound claims of following up and maintaining his unbeaten record on grass at Meydan.
Race 8, the 1400m handicap on dirt, is a competitive contest, despite only attracting a field of eight. Top-weight My Dubawi, trained by Bhupat Seemar and the choice of Tadhg O’Shea, left a moderate comeback behind at Jebel Ali when winning here (made all) last month. He will need to improve to defy a stiff mark and is vulnerable having to concede weight to his rivals.
It’s hard to ignore the claims of recent Meydan winner, Imperial Empire, representing Seemar. The victory was a welcome return to form for the gelding and he should go well under Richard Mullen.
In recent weeks, Michael Costa has found Meydan a tough venue, the victory of Mouheeb was only winner from his last 17 runners at the Dubai track. The Australian, the season’s leading trainer, runs Mozahim and he is making a quick return after finishing fourth in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint, a career-high in Jebel Ali’s showpiece sprint. If he has recovered from Saturday’s exertions, he has sound claims of give Costa a welcome winner at Meydan.
Irregular Warfare, formerly trained by Roger Varian, makes his dirt/local debut for Fawzi Nass. He’s a lightly raced colt who is open to further improvement but taking on experienced and seasoned dirt performers is best watched on his first start since late August.
It’s easy to make a case for the consistent and reliable Triple Venture, a gelding that is highly effective under these conditions and kept on to finish a respectable third behind My Dubawi two weeks ago. He is weighted to get closer to the Zabeel Stables inmate and is getting weight from his seven rivals.
Best Bet: 9 Nyaar (Race 3)
Best Value: 8 Triple Venture (Race 8)
Best Swinger: 9 Nyaar and 10 Oasis Moon (Race 3)
JACKPOT
(Races 6 to 9)
R64
Leg 1: 1, 4, 7, 10
Leg 2: 2, 3, 8, 16
Leg 3: 2, 8
Leg 4: 2, 7