Godolphin out to make flying start with six in the Singspiel Stakes
The revamped Dubai World Cup Carnival – now carrying record prize-money of $12,670,000 – kicks off on Thursday with six races at Meydan, featuring two Group 3s and the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial.
Godolphin, the dominant force at last year's meeting, are throwing six darts at the Group 3 Singspiel Stakes (4.50), a race they landed last year with Benbatl, subsequently a triple Group 1 winner.
He was saddled by Saeed Bin Suroor, who has three chances this time, seemingly headed by Dream Castle, the mount of Christophe Soumillon.
Bin Suroor said: “Dream Castle is a horse we really like, but has perhaps disappointed on a few occasions. Like all of my three runners he will improve for the run, but he is in good form at home.”
Bin Suroor’s charge was only seventh on his first Meydan start 12 months ago in a mile turf handicap won by the Charlie Appleby-trained Salsabeel.
Key Victory, the mount of James Doyle, was beaten less than four lengths when eighth behind Study Of Man in the French Derby, but subsequently proved a disappointing favourite in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Appleby, who also saddles Bay Of Poets, said: “We have three runners in the race and I could probably throw a blanket over them regarding their chances.”
The Group 3 Dubawi Stakes (4.15), run on dirt, has attracted a select field of seven, including the David Barron-trained Above The Rest, whose most recent victory was registered on the all-weather at Newcastle in June.
A familiar name among the jockey ranks in the Dubawi Stakes is the much-travelled Darryll Holland, whose ride at Sharjah last Saturday was his first in the UAE since 2008. He partners the hat-trick-seeking Ace Korea.
There is sure to be much interest in Seniority, who becomes only the second horse to represent the Queen in the UAE when he tackles the concluding 7f turf handicap (5.25) for trainer William Haggas.
Seniority, winner of the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood last summer, is the first royal runner to compete at Meydan.
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Published on 2 January 2019inGrand National festival
Last updated 06:54, 3 January 2019
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