Where to start? Plenty to savour and relish this evening which, hopefully, will be contested in much more pleasant conditions than last Friday’s fixture! With $350,000 up for grabs, the 1900m Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 is the official feature with Algiers seeking to repeat his victory registered in scintillating fashion in the 1600m first round.
Bred by Godolphin, if he is to be considered a genuine contender for the Saudi Cup, the 6yo gelded son of Shamardal will need to at least go close here over a trip that should suit him. He also won the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile last year so is clearly adaptable regarding surfaces and connections must also have at least half an eye on the Dubai World Cup.
For Fawzi Nass and Victorious, Salute The Soldier landed this in 2021and will be attempting to become the third dual winner of the contest but first to regain the crown as Best Of The Bests and Jack Sullivan both defended their titles successfully whereas Nass’ charge missed the race last year. Doug O’Neill landed that 2022 renewal with the classy Hot Rod Charlie and the American handler saddles Sifting Sands this time for RRR Racing.
He has been running on turf recently and also had the option of the Singspiel Stakes, O’Neill declaring him in the latter. Desert Wisdom was a revelation last season for Ahmed Al Shemaili, winning the 1600m Group 3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday before finding only one too good in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.
He looked in need of his reappearance when never able to land a blow behind Algiers in the opening round but he was staying on suggesting this new trip is well worth a crack. It will be his first attempt at further than 1600m. It probably should be mentioned he was also a long way behind Algiers in the 2022 Jebel Ali Mile on a course he has won, over 1400m.
REMORSE LOOKS FOR MORE JOY
Runner-up in that Jebel Ali feature was Remorse whose 2022 campaign finished with an excellent sixth in the Dubai World Cup. Over the same 2000m, Bhupat Seemar’s charge won the Listed The Entisar on his reappearance, beating stable companion Bendoog with First Constitution, both again in opposition, third.
Over the same 1800m on turf as the Group 1 Dubai Turf, the aforementioned Group 2 Singspiel Stakes, like so many such carnival races, could well be dominated by Godolphin. Charlie Appleby duo Valiant Prince and Ottoman Fleet appear to hold leading claims, alongside Dubai Future for Saeed bin Suroor.
Doug Watson saddled Prince Eiji to win last week’s feature, the Firebreak Stakes, for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and relies on the same owner’s San Donato winner of the 1600m Listed National Day Cup in December when chased home by Shadwell’s Alfareeq. The latter, surprise winner of the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, over this trip, on Super Saturday last year was second, dropped to 1400m, in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort when last seen.
The first of the two fillies and mares’ features, the 1600m turf Group 2 Cape Verdi also has strong Godolphin representation, Bin Suroor’s pair Soft Whisper and White Moonlight joined by Wild Beauty and With The Moonlight for Appleby.
The PA Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, also over 1900m, features a clash between last year’s winner, Rajeh, and 2021 victor RB Frynch Dude but Hiab Al Zaman, representing Victorious and Nass, could prove the one to beat on his local debut. Overshadowed by the Thoroughbred action it may be but it certainly offers a tantalising way to kick off proceedings.
SELECTIONS
Race 1: Hiab Al Zaman (NB)
Race 2: First Ruler
Race 3: Mouheeb
Race 4: With The Moonlight (Nap)
Race 5: Salute The Soldier
Race 6: San Donato
Race 7: Get Back Goldie
