Dubai: Godolphin’s Windohek bids to secure a maiden Group race victory when he takes on four rivals in the €195,500 (Dh930,448) Anatolia Trophy at Veliefendi, Turkey, on Saturday.
Trained by Saeed Bin Surour at Newmarket, England, the four-year-old son of Cape Cross has won five times, including when successful in a Listed event at Sandown in July, but is yet to strike at a higher level.
He was narrowly denied a Group 2 victory when beaten a neck by Sheikhzayedroad and Secret Gesture in the York Stakes in July.
Bin Surour is looking for a third victory in the Turkish highlight following wins by Balius in 2009 and Hunter’s light in 2012.
Previously trained by Mark Johnston when racing under the ownership of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Windohek’s rivals include the Luca Cumani-trained Danadana, who won the race twelve months ago.
Danadana is owned by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Obaid Al Maktoum, who most famously won the Epsom Derby (G1) in 1998 with High Rise.
Saturday card also sees Bin Surour’s Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2) and Burj Nahaar (G3) scorer Shuruq vie for honours in the Istanbul Trophy (G3) over 1,600 metres on grass.
Shrurq faces six opponents among them Godolphin’s French-trained filly Dancing Sands, who is prepared by Henri-Alex Pantall at his base in Beaupreau, close to Nantes.
The race has also attracted the Mark Johnston-trained Kosika, who runs in the colours of recent World Equestrian Games endurance gold medallist Shaikh Hamdan.
Sunday’s action features two interesting Group 2 contests on turf, the International Topkapi Trophy over 1,600 metres and the 2,400-metre Bosphorus Cup.
Bin Surour relies on Group 2 Dubai City of Gold scorer Excellent Result to give him a second successive victory in the race after Lost In The Moment came from last to first under to win the Cup last year.
The Topkapi Trophy features Richard Hannon’s Craven Stakes (G2) winner Toormore and Dubai World Cup Carnival hero Belgian Bill.
One of the highlights of Sunday’s card is the President of the UAE Cup Malazgirt for Purebred Arabians.
The Jean-Francois Bernard-trained No Problem Al Maury looks the one to beat while Francois Rohaut runs Sivit Al Maury for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Meanwhile, Haydock Park in England stages the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup, which is the sixth and penultimate race in the Sprint division of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
Gordon Lord Byron bids to create history and become only the second horse to secure back-to-back wins in the 1,200-metre event after Be Friendly in 1966-’67.
He is trained by Tom Hogan who said: “Gordon Lord Byron is in great form. He is ready for a winter campaign in some far-flung places and Saturday is his first task. He has loads of international invites but we will take a decision about where he goes after Saturday — he should just be reaching his peak now at the age of six.”
Hogan’s flag-bearer faces some of the high class sprints including the Eddie Lynam-trained Sole Power who is unbeaten in three starts in the UK this year.
Others to consider are Betfred Temple Stakes winner Hot Streak, Tropics, who was second in the Darley July Cup, and Extortionist, who was third in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.
Music Master and Es Que Love are also worth keeping an eye on.
