Dubai: Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour is hoping that progressive filly Winter Lightning can complete a hat-trick of wins at Meydan on Thursday when she lines up to contest the $250,000 UAE Oaks (Group 3), the feature race in week nine of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
The three-year-old daughter of Shamardal takes on five rivals in the 1,800 metre contest on dirt, a race that Bin Surour has won on no less that ten occasions since the inaugural running in 2001.
Winter Lightning is unbeaten in two UAE starts including the 1,000 Guineas on February 8 and Guineas Trial, prior to that, on January 18.
She renews her rivalry with the Doug Watson-trained Rayya, a filly she has beaten twice, and fellow Godolphin filly, Expressiy, who finished third in both the Guineas and Trial.
Bin Surour, who won the inaugural running of the Oaks with Laoub and most recently with Local Time in 2015, commented on his potential star: “We always thought she was special and a Oaks filly.
“She’s tough and has done well since the Guineas. She’s a lot like Thunder Snow, relaxed and just loves her racing.
“She has proved that she’s effective on the dirt and should continue to get better. We expect another big run from her on Thursday.”
Commenting on Expressiy, Charlie Appleby said: “Expressiy has progressed with each run in Dubai and the step up in trip is going to suit her.
“We feel that she has done well since she ran in the UAE 1,000 Guineas and she should be closer to the two fillies that beat her.”
Meanwhile, the $200,000 Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3), a prep race for the $1-million 3,200m Dubai Gold Cup, looks an absolute corker with a strong field of 11 stayers headed by French star Vazirabad.
Trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, the six-year-old has won 12 of 18 career starts including the last two runnings of the Gold Cup at Meydan. She was, however, beaten in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy 12 months ago by Godolphin’s Beautiful Romance.
His trainer, Bin Surour, is two-handed with Red Galileo and Natural Scenery.
The trainer said: “Vazirabad is obviously a very hard horse to beat but Red Galileo ran very well last time and should do so again.
“Natural Scenery was, to be honest, a bit disappointing last time when behind Red Galileo but is working well so we hope for a better effort.”
The strong field also includes English-trained Prince Of Arran, a first UAE winner for Charlie Fellowes and another staying stalwart, the David Simcock-trained Sheikhzayedroad.
A Grade 1 winner in Canada in 2014, the son of Dubawi was third in this race last year and filled the same placing behind Vazirabad in the Gold Cup.
The seven-race card opens with Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (G3), for Purebred Arabians, a race run over the same 2000m dirt course and distance of the Dubai Kahayla Classic.
Thursday’s race pits American Horse of the Year, Paddy’s Day, against Barnamaj for the third time this season.
The mount of Pat Dobbs, Paddy’s Day won the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1, 1600m), a race in which he was chased home by Barnamaj who would gain revenge in round two of the series.
Paddy’s Day has since landed the Mazrat Al Ruwayah (G2).
“This is the obvious race for him and we then have four weeks until the Kahayla Classic,” said trainer Doug Watson. “He is a tough and very talented horse who takes his racing exceptionally well.”
Trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhe, Barnamaj has only had those two starts in the UAE, both on dirt. Jim Crowley who was on board on both occasions, said: “We knew the trip would suit him last time and this slightly shorter one should be fine. Again, we look to have Paddy’s Day to beat.”
Another classy field of horses that include the Godolphin pair of Zaman and Racing Country dominate a 14-strong field for the Listed Meydan Classic on turf.
Appleby remarked: “Zaman has come forward since his second in the trial for this race [February 17] and he will appreciate racing over a mile, while he also has a better draw in stall three this time.”
Bin Surour said: “Racing Country has been disappointing so far out in Dubai and hasn’t been showing a lot on the racecourse this year. We are giving him a final chance at the Carnival and I hope he can run a better race.”
