Dubai: This year’s renewal of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, the feature event of Thursday’s big-race Carnival meeting at Meydan racecourse, looks to be one of the most wide-open in the event’s 21-year history with the majority the 16 runners appearing to have genuine claims of winning.
However, what really sets Thursday’s race apart is the quality and star-appeal that it boasts, with three Group 1 and three Group 2 winners among the classy field.
Godolphin, who has posted 11 dominant victories in the contest, send out a strong quartet of middle-distance specialists headed by four-time Meydan scorer African Story, 2013 race winner Hunter’s Light, the evergreen Prince Bishop and the promising Artigiano.
Three-time Group 1 winner and 2011 Melbourne Cup sensation Dunaden, Epsom Derby (G1) fourth Battle of Marengo, Durban July winner Heavy Metal and the highly-regarded Empire Storm are among an ominous group of challengers bidding to break Godolphin’s stranglehold of the race, which is a respected trial for the $10 million (Dh36.7 million) Dubai World Cup (G1).
Local scorers Interpret, Zahee and Surfer add depth to the field and make winner picking a difficult task for race fans.
Trio of hopefuls
Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour has sent out nine winners of the race and hopes he can add to that mark with his trio of hopefuls including ante-post favourite African Story.
The trainer offered some clues when he said on the stable’s website: “African Story was fifth in the Dubai World Cup last year and we gave him a break last summer. He is doing well out here — he is working nicely and I have been happy with him. I think that this distance suits him as well as the Tapeta surface, although he will come on for his first start of the year.”Hunter’s Light ran really well out in Dubai last year, although we were a little disappointed with his seventh in the Dubai World Cup.
“He ran a good race behind Farhh at Ascot last time and has been working very well. He won this race last year and I am hopeful of another nice run.
“Prince Bishop loves racing out in Dubai and I think he is physically in better shape than last year. He likes Tapeta and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on.
I expect them all to be competitive in what looks to be a strong race.”
Godolphin has previously won the Al Maktoum Challenge with Cezanne (1994), Halling (1995), Larrocha (1996), Altibr (1999), Best Of The Bests (2001 & 2002), Moon Ballad (2003), My Indy (2009), Allybar (2010), Mendip (2012) and Hunter’s Light (2013).
South African trainer, Mike De Kock is a three-time winner of the race and sends out Zahee, a winner just last week.
Handicap
“It is never ideal running back so quickly but with his new rating of 111 my options are somewhat restricted,” said the trainer. “It was only a handicap he won last week but we think he is worth his place at this level. It looks a strong renewal but at least he has shown his wellbeing and is fit and well.”
Today’s card also features the Purebred Arabian version of the Al Maktoum Challenge which has drawn a field of eight led by last year’s winner Albar Lotois and Versac PY, the horse the chased him home 12 months ago.
Awam, who was third on that occasion is joined by Takaamul (4th), Rasikh (5th) and Ghalib (6th), in a bid to reverse the form.
Racing starts at 6.40pm and entrance to Meydan is free.
