Dubai: Between them Carnival kingpins Mike de Kock and Saeed Bin Surour have won the Group 3 Al Rashidiya no less than ten times and that dominance looks set to continue at Thursday’s 16th running of the 1800m turf showpiece
Once again, a difficult choice has to be made between the respective handler’s contenders, although it appears that Godolphin supremo Bin Surour appears to have the marginal edge on this occasion with the talented True Story.
The Darley-bred son of leading German stallion Manduro has had the benefit of a run when comfortably trouncing De Kock’s Mushreq, the 2013 Al Fahidi Fort (G2) scorer and former French-trained Pilote, over course and distance two weeks ago.
“He won well last time out and we were very pleased with him,” said Bin Surour. “He is a horse we have always really liked and he has been working well since. Obviously it is a step up in class, but we expect a big run from him.”
Stable jockey James Doyle takes the ride.
However, this time around True Story faces De Kock’s formidable three-pronged raiding party headed by 2014 Jebel Hatta (G1) conqueror Vercingetorix, and his stable companions Mujaarib, winner of the Al Rashidiya twelve months ago, and Sanshaawes.
Obviously Sanshaawes is likely to have a fitness edge,” said De Kock. “He ran well on the first night and has been in good form since. He had a good Carnival last year and hopefully he can win a race this time.
“We have said many times Vercingetorix is a lazy work horse and nothing has changed. He has a touch of class and hopefully we will see that again on Thursday. You cannot get excited with his work, but it was the same last year and he won well first time.”
Big-race jockey christophe Soumillon takes the ride on the six-year-old son of Silvano who ran finished second behind Japanese Star Just A Way in the $5 million (Dh18.36 million) Group 1 Dubai Turf (formerly Dubai Duty Free) on Dubai World Cup night.
“The same applies to Mujaarib who showed little in the mornings last year before surprising us in this race. Hopefully he will go well as he certainly seems to run his best when fresh.
“It is nice to have three genuine chances in such a big race.”
De Kock is looking for a seventh success in the Al Rashidiya follow wins by Mujaarib (2014), The Apache (2013), Musir (2012), Silver Mist (2009), Wolf Whistle (2005) and Right Approach (2004).
Bin Surour’s previous success came with Alexandros (2010), Naheef (2003), All The Way (2001) and Sabadilla (2000).
Today’s seven-race card also features the Group 2 Cape Verdi, a 1600m contest restricted to fillies and mares.
Eight go to post with French filly Cladocera looking to have strong claims together with the Mick Channon-trained Wee Jean.
Zurigha was well beaten last week but the five-year-old by Cape Cross is tipped to improve for the outing and can challenge the likes of Oh Star, Energia Fribby and Anahita in what looks to be an open renewal of the Cape Verdi.
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), formerly known as DUBAL, return as sponsors of the full meeting.
