Nations Pride looks for winning return to Meydan

Ed Marnane

The eagerly awaited comeback of Charlie Appleby’s Nations Pride in the Dubai Millennium Stakes takes centre stage at Meydan on Friday, the seventh night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Owned and bred by Godolphin, Nations Pride was one of Appleby’s top three-year-olds last year, despite flopping badly in the Derby when supplemented for £75,000 (R1.6m). He restored his reputation when sent to race in the US later in the summer, racking up wins in the Saratoga and Jockey Club Derby before signing off with creditable fifth behind stable companion Rebel’s Romance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Nations Pride, the mount of William Buick, is looking to give Godolphin an eighth success in the Dubai Millennium Stakes and provide Appleby with his sixth win in last seven years. The Teofilo colt is unbeaten at Meydan, winning the Jumeriah Derby 12 months ago. He will take plenty of beating, despite having to concede weight to his 10 rivals and can defend his perfect record at Dubai’s iconic track.

Ottoman Fleet, trained by Appleby, looks the chief threat to spoil Nations Pride’s comeback and continue James Doyle’s remarkable success at Meydan this year. The four-year-old son of Sea The Stars has the benefit of two runs and won’t lack for fitness. He has run well in defeat in the Al Rashidiya and Singspiel Stakes, finishing strongly in both races to suggest he will improve for the step up to 2000m.

The last overseas trained winner of the Dubai Millennium Stakes was Zarak, representing the Aga Khan and French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre, six years ago. His son, Zagrey, holds each-claims at decent odds for trainer Yann Barberot.

A progressive colt last year, winning three of his five races, he wasn’t disgraced on his UAE debut behind Valiant Prince in the Al Rashidiya Stakes. He kept on nicely in the closing stages having been left with too much to do in a muddling race, in which those ridden handy were favoured when the race unfolded off the home bend.

Race 3, the UAE Oaks, is a weak renewal and only one of the seven fillies is rated above 100, while three are maidens. Seven days after winning the UAE 2000 Guineas with Tall Boy, California-based trainer Doug O’Neill has strong claims with Ami Please, the highest rated runner in the field. She opened her account at the second time of asking, winning a maiden on turf at Santa Anita.

She has progressed since and can boast decent form at Grade 3 level when finishing a close-up fourth behind Liguria. It’s an obvious concern she was soundly beaten on her only start on dirt, trailing in a poor sixth on her racecourse debut. That said, she showed signs of greenness and failed to land a telling blow after a tardy start.

The daughter of Goldencents possesses gate speed and should be able to get a prominent position taking on just six rivals. She demands plenty of respect.

Salem bin Ghadayer has enjoyed success in the UAE Oaks, winning the 2020 renewal with Down On Da Bayou and the Emirati trainer has a leading chance with Mimi Kakushi, winner of the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas last month. The daughter of City Of Light, an exciting young US sire, ran out a comfortable winner of the first Classic of the season and has the services of Mickael Barzalona, a rider operating at decent strike-rate at Meydan this season.

Race 5, the Nad Al Sheba Trophy, a key local trial for the Dubai Gold Cup, has been won nine times by Godolphin, the most recent with Manobo for Charlie Appleby 12 months ago. Siskany, winner of the Al Khail Trophy, over the same course and distance twelve months, spearheads the Godolphin four-pronged assault under William Buick for Appleby. He’s proven under these conditions and has a good record returning from a break, so has sound claims of shrugging off a 79-day break.

Global Heat, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, is a quirky performer but has plenty of ability, and arguably reserves his best form for Meydan, a venue he has won twice and seldom runs a poor race.

Winner of the Al Khail Trophy on his seasonal debut last month, he lost little in defeat when a good third behind First Ruler under a big weight in a competitive handicap last time.

Outside of the Godolphin challenge, Ardakan makes most appeal for Newmarket-based Italian trainer Marco Botti.

Winner of the 2022 Italian Derby, he caught the eye on his UAE debut behind Global Heat, running on well from the rear of the field to finish a good third, a solid comeback after a break. He’s unexposed over the trip and can’t be overlooked under Ben Coen.

The quirky but useful stayer Away He Goes is one to consider, who could improve for the application of a first-time visor. He has returned to form after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a tendon injury, running well in defeat in the Abu Dhabi Championship before splitting Global Heat and Ardakan on his latest appearance.

He is ideally berthed in stall No 2 and should enjoy a ground-saving trip.

Doug Watson, fresh from winning the Group 3 Jebel Ali with Fanaar six days ago, saddles the progressive Al Nayyir, winner of two of his last three races. He has blossomed since connections stepped him up in trip and switched to turf.

Rated 90, he has plenty to find on the ratings but could reward each-way support at big odds. He’s a well-bred gelding, being by Dubawi and brother to top stayer and St Leger runner-up, New London.

BEST BET

Race 3: No 1 Ami Please

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 1 Al Nayyir

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 9-Ottoman Fleet and 11-Zagrey

JACKPOT

(Races 4 to 7)

R81

Leg 1: 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 7

Leg 3: 1, 9, 11

Leg 4: 5, 6, 10