Al Zarouni seeks third UAE Classic success

Dubai: Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarouni hopes to win a third UAE Classic this season when he saddles Pimpernel in today's UAE Oaks, a Group 3 event restricted to three-year-old fillies.

Al Zarouni won the UAE 1,000 Guineas with Gamilati before he sent out Kinglent to land the UAE 2,000 Guineas. Should he be successful in today's feature race of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, it will give Godolphin an eighth victory in a race which they have won in previous years with Laoub (2001), Imperial Gesture (2002), Danuta (2003), Satin Kiss (2005), Cocoa Beach (2008), Devotee (2009) and Khawlah (2011).

Pimpernel was runner-up to stable-companion Gamilati in the Guineas and should go one better as she takes on five rivals with modest claims at best.

Al Zarouni was quietly confident and commented: "Pimpernel is in good form and has improved since the UAE 1,000 Guineas. She was a little fresh on that occasion and I think that she will settle under Frankie Dettori.

"I am not sure about the step up to nine-and-a-half furlongs but you never know until they run over that distance."

Al Zarouni, who also saddles Ascot scorer Falls Of Lor, said: "Falls Of Lora is also doing well and she is lining up on her own merit. She was an impressive winner over a mile at Ascot last year but she will improve for her first start of the season."

Alsindi, Moon Spun, Colorful Notion and Mary Fildes, all of whom finished behind Pimpernel in the 1,000 Guineas, return to take their chance.

Today's card also features the Meydan Classic, a 1,600m Listed contest on turf which has attracted runners including Factory Time, an all-the-way winner of the 1,400m trial.

Trained by two-time UAE champion Ali Rashid Al Raihe, the three-year-old son of Baltic King was chased home on that occasion by Kenny Powers and Fiscal who also line-up today. Singapore's Cash Luck looks a big danger while Spanish-bred Matusalen and Entifaadha are interesting contenders.

The Al Naboodah Construction Group sprint on turf appears to be the most competitive race of the day.

UAE oaks trends

- Only horses trained in the UAE and South Africa have won the UAE Oaks since it was first run in 2001.

- Emirati trainer Saeed Bin Surour has won the race seven times in 11 runnings.

- Frankie Dettori is the most successful jockey with six wins.

- Satin Kiss, Folk and Cocoa Beach all won the UAE 1,000 Guineas prior to completing the double in the UAE Oaks.

- The first international runner was Saudi Arabia's Semblanza who finished sixth to Danuta in 2003.

- Five years after it was first run the race was upgraded to Listed status in 2006 and Group 3 status in 2011.