Meydan racecourse: stages last meeting before the Dubai World Cup card
PICTURE: Dubai Racing ClubGodolphin field strong hand at Meydan
Preview: UAE, Saturday 12.30pm GMT (live on ATR)
Meydan: Dubai World Cup Carnival penultimate fixture
GODOLPHIN'S Tahaamah and Rutland Boy, trained by local Champion Ali Rashid Al Raihe, both bid to continue on their upward curves in the concluding two races at Meydan's penultimate fixture of the season on Saturday.
All six races are on the Tapetaand have attracted the maximum field of 14 on a very competitive card with the penultimate race, a 1m3f handicap, looking the ideal opportunity for Tahaamah to register a second course and distance victory for Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor and Frankie Dettori.
A very unlucky second on his penultimate start and local debut, he won well last time under a very confident Dettori and Bin Suroor said: "He is a young horse with plenty of ability and has been working well since he arrived in Dubai. He was unfortunate on his first run and Frankie gave him a very good ride last time.
"He remains in good form at home and I am hoping for a big run from him."
Silvestre de Sousa rides stable companion Club Oceanic to give the Godolphin team a strong hand. Other trainers well represented include Satish Seemar and Doug Watson with three and two runners respectively.
Jutland won at Abu Dhabi for Watson on only hissecond UAE start three weeks ago and he will be ridden by Pat Cosgrave with Pat Dobbs on stable companion Dr Faustus. Watson said: "Both are working well and Jutland has really pleased us with his two runs this year. Dr Faustus is very capable of a big run if everything falls right for him."
Of the Seemar trio, stable jockey Richard Mullen partners Radegund Abbey, who was sixth to Tahaamah last time he ran, with Harry Bentley on Achill Bay and James Doyle aboard Layali AlAndalus.
South Africa's Storm Chispazo and Bahrain's Royal Destination provide the international flavour. The latter is owned and trained by Fawzi Nass who is represented in the concluding 1m handicap by Critical Moment.
This too looks wide open with Al Aasifh representing Godolphin respected along with the Seemar-trained Kaiss. However, Champion Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe has Rutland Boy in fine fettle and he arrives here seeking a hat-trick having won over7f and 1m on his last two starts.
He could not have been more impressive last time and jockey Jamie Spencer is looking forward to renewing his partnership with the horse.
Spencer said: "He won well two starts ago but was very impressive last time over this course and distance. He seems to be improving quickly and hopefully can continue to do so."
He likes to race prominently as does the Doug Watson-trainedFamous Warrior and the trainer said: "He has a nice low draw for a change so hopefully can break well and run a big race."
Capital Attraction dead-heated here over 7f last time and Silvestre de Sousa will be in the saddle for Ernst Oertel who said: "He really likes the Tapeta and will appreciate the extra 200m. It looks a stronger race but he is in good form."
Only the Dubai World Cup meeting in two weeks remain at the Meydan and Godolphin, Saeed bin Suroor and Frankie Dettori look certain to be crowned leading owner, trainer and jockey at the 2012 carnival.
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