Sport | Horse Racing
Meydan's World Cup rehearsal: Super night
New Godolphin star recruit Cavalryman faces Tapeta test and a host of high-class rivals
- By David Harrison, Racing Correspondent
- Published: 00:00 March 4, 2010
- Image Credit: XPRESS /VIRENDRA SAKLANI
- Allybar (3) wins Round Two of the Maktoum Challenge two weeks ago and goes in the final tonight
DUBAI: A busy weekend sees the third and final double-header of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival, Meydan's final meetings before World Cup night at the end of the month.
Tonight is Super Thursday, a dress rehearsal for the big night, with all seven races mirroring the conditions of those on March 27.
The feature is the final round of the Maktoum Challenge over the same 1m 2f (2,000m) Tapeta course as the Dubai World Cup.
The Group 2 contest sees Godolphin unleash new recruit Cavalryman, who was just two lengths behind the great Sea The Stars when third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but who needs to prove his effectiveness on the Tapeta. He will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, with Ahmad Ajtebi partnering Allybar who won round two. Trainer Saeed Bin Surour said: "Allybar has done very well since joining us and appears to be going the right way. Cavalryman is a horse we really like and he seems to handle the surface."
Also double-handed is South African Mike De Kock who won the race last year with Asiatic Boy. He saddles both Mr Brock and Lizard's Desire who are both seeking a third 2010 Carnival win.
De Kock said: "On ratings they both have something to find but both love the surface and deserve to take their chance to prove themselves of this standard."
It looks certain to be a true test with last year's Dubai World Cup runner-up Gloria De Campeao, who won the opening round of the Maktoum Challenge, and Japan Cup heroine Vodka both more than capable of throwing down a big of challenge.
The turf races are competitive, with the Group 2 Jebel Hatta, over 1m 1f (1,800m) featuring the return to turf of Presvis, reunited with Ryan Moore. The pair were runner-up in the 2009 Dubai Duty Free before landing a Group 1 in Hong Kong. Alexandros was third in the Duty Free and reopposes as part of a strong Godolphin challenge which is completed by Group 1 winning juvenile Ibn Khaldun and Breeders' Cup third Justenuffhumor.
The Group 2 City of Gold is over 2,485m (approx 1m 4½f) and again Godolphin are well represented with Dettori partnering Campanologist. De Kock, who won the race last year with Front House, saddles a trio with Golden Sword perhaps the main hope.
Turkey's Pan River, Mick Channon's Halicarnassus and Cumani's Purple Moon, a very close third in last year's Sheema Classic are others to consider, along with Quijano who won this for Germany in 2007.
De Kock's UAE 2000 Guineas winner Musir is out of the Al Bastakiya leaving Godolphin's Vale of York as the likely winner.
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