Dubai: The Group 3 $250,000 (Dh918,237) UAE Oaks, the showpiece event at Thursday’s Group race-enriched Carnival meeting, is at the mercy of Polar River, an exciting bargain purchase who has outshone expectations with a stunning hat-trick of wins at Meydan this season.
A $25,000 graduate of Keeneland’s 2014 September Yearling Sale, Polar River romped to a 13-length victory in the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas three weeks resulting in only two fillies daring to oppose her in the 1,900-metre Classic — South African-trained Vale Dori and the Swedish hope Dolly Dagger.
A crack at the $2 million UAE Derby (G2) on Dubai World Cup night are on the cards as well as a trans-Atlantic journey to America where the Kentucky Oaks (G1) is a likely target for the three-year-old daughter of Congrats, who is trained in Dubai by the season’s leading handler, Doug Watson.
“She is a special filly and very exciting to be associated with,” said Watson, who has sent out 49 winners thus far. “We think she will be better over this trip and has improved with each of her three starts to date.”
Vale Dori, who is trained by South African Carnival powerhouse Mike de Kock, is a daughter of 2007 UAE Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy, while Dolly Dagger, who takes her name from a song by recorded by the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, carries Scandinavia’s hopes of an upset win.
The first half of the Emirates-sponsored Carnival double-header, which concludes with the Super Saturday meeting on Saturday, features two other Group 3 contests including the Balanchine Stakes for fillies and mares and the Nad Al Sheba Trophy stayer’s contest.
Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour, seven times the leading trainer at the Carnival, bids for a third success in the Balanchine following Sajjhaa in 2013 and Gonfilia in 2004, the year the race was first run.
The Emirati handler saddles Secret Victory who looked impressive when eclipsing all but one of his six rivals in Group 2 Cape Verde four weeks ago.
“She won the Cape Verde very well and we were delighted with her,” said Bin Suroor. “Her work since has been very good and she has really thrived in the Dubai weather.
“She has a penalty for the Cape Verde victory which makes it a bit tougher but the extra 200 metres should suit her.”
The main danger appears to be the Marco Botti-trained Euro Charline who was a respectable fourth to the outstanding French gelding Solow in the Group 1 $6 million Dubai Turf at last season’s World Cup meeting.
Euro Charline will be ridden by big-race jockey Ryan Moore, who makes his seasonal Dubai debut on Thursday night.
A strong 14 of 14 stayers will contest the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, a prep for the Group 1 $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic.
First run in 2010, Bin Surour has saddled three of the six winners to date and relies on Famous Kid who steps up to Group 2 company for the first time.
“The course and distance really suit him and he ran very well last time,” said his handler, whose previous wins in the race came with Cavalryman (2014), Ahzeemah (2013) and Age Of Reason (2010).
“He has improved for that outing and is working very well. It looks an open race but he should be competitive.”
Famous Kid was third over course and distance four weeks ago, a race that was won by the Roger Varian-trained Battersea, who reopposes together with second placed Paene Magnus, fourth, Rio Tigre and fifth, Star Empire.
The card opens with Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians, a 2000-metre contest that is run over the same course and distance as the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
A field of 11 face the starter with the Nacer Samiri-trained Haajeb bidding to follow up his victory in the middle round of the Al Maktoum series four weeks ago.
“He did it well in the second round,” said Wayne Smith, who takes the ride again. “The drop in trip by 200m should not inconvenience him as his other two wins were over 1600 metres.
“The trainer is having a great season and his horses are still going strong so we have to be hopeful.”
GN selections
Race Horse
1) 1. Abu Alabyad; 2. Haajeb.
2) 1. Comicas; 2. First Selection.
3) 1. Polar River; 2. Vale Dori.
4) 1. Very Special; 2. Euro Charline.
5) 1. Mastermind; 2. Fils Anges
6) 1. Star Empire; 2. Sheikhzayedroad.
7) 1. Musaddas; 2. Whistle Stop.
Day’s Best: Polar River
