Dubai: Godolphin handlers Saeed Bin Surour and Charlie Appleby are primed to plunder more riches at Thursday’s Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting, which is highlighted by the Group 2 Zabeel Mile and the Group 3 UAE Oaks, worth a lucrative $250,000 (Dh918,250) each.
Safety Check looks the one to beat in the Mile as he bids to complete a Group 2 double following an authoritative victory in the Al Fahidi Fort over course and distance last month.
The Dubai colt faces ten rivals including Appleby’s Outstrip, who should shape up better on turf after an unsuccessful outing on the dirt, and the ex-Aidan O’Brien-trained Darwin, who races out of South African handler Mike de Kock’s powerful stable.
Another danger lurks in the form of dual Meydan victor Dark Emerald, who is trained by Brendan Powell, the ex-Grand National winning jockey-turned-trainer.
Powell took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce that his stable star had a “Last canter. Seems in great form. Here’s hoping!!”.
Appleby was also looking forward to seeing Safety Check, the mount of stable jockey William Buick, who tackles an extra furlong in the Mile following two outings over 1,400 metres.
“He has really thrived since arriving in Dubai and remains in great form,” he said. “The Meydan turf course really suits him and he should run another big race, but the penalty obviously makes life harder for him.
“The 1,400m has really suited him for his two wins this year and has to prove himself as effective over 1,600m, but he has won over the trip at Newmarket as a juvenile.”
Return to turf
Commenting on the chances of Outstrip, winner of the 2013 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, who will be ridden by James Doyle, Appleby added: “He was disappointing last time. He had been working well, but just did not face the kickback. He continues to please us at home and will appreciate the return to turf.”
De Kock has sent out three winners of the Mile — Kapil (2007), Imbongi (2001) and Archipenko (2009) — and relies on Anaerobio, Johann Strauss and Darwin.
Stable jockey Christophe Soumillon has opted to partner Darwin, with red-hot jockey Pat Dobbs getting the call-up on Johann Strauss and Johnny Geroudis on Anaerobio.
Only six have been declared for the 1,900-metre UAE Oaks on dirt, headed by Godolphin’s Local Time, an impressive winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas on his last start.
Doyle rides for Emirati trainer Bin Surour, who is seeking an unprecedented tenth win in the race
“She won the Guineas very well,” said Bin Surour. “Her work has been very good and she should cope with the step up in trip from 1600m. We expect her to run very well.”
The big-race handler also saddles Good Place, who was runner-up in the UAE 1000 Guineas.
“She will appreciate the step up in trip,” said Bin Surour. “She is in good shape at home and will run a big race.”
Appleby is responsible for Yodelling, who was fourth behind Local Time in the Guineas.
“This is more her kind of trip,” said Appleby. “It will be tough to reverse the form with Saeed’s pair though.”
Eleven have been declared for the Listed Meydan Classic, a 1600-metre turf contest, including the De Kock-trained Mastermind, who was an impressive winner of the trial. Dane O’Neill takes the ride, with Paul Hanagan on Tashbeeh on his local debut.
