Ed Marnane
Round I of the Maktoum Challenge headlines a top quality seven-race card at Meydan on Friday, the first fixture of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival.
First run in 1994, the Group 2 contest, over 1600m on dirt, has attracted a full field of 16 and last year’s winner Golden Goal is seeking back-to-back wins for trainer Doug Watson, one of five runners representing Red Stables.
By Dark Angel, Golden Goal never threatened on his seasonal debut last month and makes little appeal. His stable companion, Prince Eiji, holds better claims under new rider Sam Hitchcott, replacing the suspended Pat Dobbs. He caught the eye in the Dubai Creek Mile, over the same course and distance, defeating Danyah and nine others in the style of an improved horse.
Champion trainer Bhupat Seemar is responsible for a quarter of the field, with stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea electing to ride the admirable veteran Secret Ambition, a seven time winner at Meydan. He’s ideally drawn for a confirmed front-runner and if fully tuned-up on the back of a 286-day break, he should go well despite having turned 10 on Sunday.
Desert Wisdom thrived last season, winning the Burj Nahaar at Meydan before chasing home shock Japanese winner Bathrat Leon in the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup undercard. Trained by Ahmed Al Shemaili, he lacks a recent run but it’s encouraging he overcame a 200 day break when winning at Jebel Ali 12 months ago. He is suited by the conditions and warrants plenty of respect.
The Al Fahidi Fort, the Group 2 showpiece on turf, Race 6, looks a great opportunity for Charlie Appleby’s Noble Truth, the highest rated horse in the field. Winner of the Jersey Stakes, he impressed at Royal Ascot, making all and finding plenty for pressure on his start since being gelded. Appleby enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Meydan last season, saddling 19 winners and operating at an impressive 27% strike-rate.
Alfareeq, surprise winner of the Jebel Hatta, rates the main threat. He has the advantage of a run this season when chasing home the exciting San Donato in the National Day Cup. He’s entitled to be sharper for the race and holds each-way claims in the famous blue silks of Shadwell for trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri.
Earlier, the Dubawi Stakes (Listed), an early prep for the Golden Shaheen, looks a cracking renewal and is wide-open. Mouheeb, winner of the 2020 UAE 2000 Guineas, has improved since connections sent him sprinting and is unbeaten in two starts this season.
Trained by Michael Costa, he impressed when winning the Garhoud Sprint, travelling strongly before readily quickening clear in the closing stages. He will be hard to beat.
Switzerland, shock winner of the Golden Shaheen last March, returns to the scene of his biggest win and riding arrangements suggest he is Zabeel Stables main hope under stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea. Now in the twilight of his career, he could be vulnerable on first run of the season and doesn’t appeal chasing back-to-back wins.
Mubakker, not seen finishing a creditable fifth in the Godolphin Mile, leads Doug Watson’s three-pronged assault in the hands of Dane O’Neill for his main employer, Shadwell. He has improved since switching to dirt, unsurprising given his pedigree being by Speightstown. Winner of two of his five runs on Meydan’s main track, he’s a smart performer and merits serious consideration.
Racing ends with the Ertijaal Dubai Dash (Listed) and Charlie Appleby holds a very strong hand, with Lazuli and Man Of Promise representing the Godolphin handler. William Buick, who was crowned British champion last year, has chosen to ride Man Of Promise, last season’s Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint third. The US-bred gelding can boast a smart strike-rate at Meydan and is favourably drawn high in stall 16. He looks the one to beat.
Lazuli, the mount of James Doyle, has won four times over the minimum distance. He holds sound claims of supplementing his victory in the Group 2 Blue Point Sprint, over the same course and distance, last season, and has the benefit of a good draw.
Of the others, last year’s winner Mutaraffa is one to consider at decent odds. He comes fit and well on the back of two solid runs in defeat on dirt, the most recent when third behind the progressive Mouheeb. He will be suited switching to turf and won’t lack for fitness.
BEST BET
Race 3 No 1 Mouheeb
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 3 Alfareeq
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 3-Man Of Promise and 9-Mutaraffa
JACKPOT
(Races 4 to 7)
R72
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 7
Leg 2: 5, 13
Leg 3: 2, 3, 11
Leg 4: 1, 3, 9