Over 1600m on the dirt track, the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes is the official feature on this fourth card of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival with a new name set to be added to the roll of honour in a contest introduced in 2011. With an official rating of 109, the Doug Watson-trained Prince Eiji should hold leading claims for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.
A 7yo gelded son of Dubawi, he was purchased by his previous trainer, Roger Varian, for a hefty 2.6 million guineas as a yearling and made a winning start to the current campaign when victorious over this 1600m on dirt in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile. He did not build on that effort when fifth, beaten a dozen lengths, a month later in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, again over this course and distance. It certainly would be no surprise were he to bounce back although he was only fourth, beaten nine lengths, in this last year.
SALEM'S GOOD TRACK RECORD
Watson also saddles Everfast and Thegreatcollection in a race he landed in 2019 with Muntazah. Salem bin Ghadayer has provided the winner thrice since 2018, including last year with Hypothetical, and he had five entered, ultimately declaring two, Mister Saint Paul and Ever Given. Bhupat Seemar had four among the entries in a race his uncle Satish landed in 2021 with Secret Ambition who went on to win that year’s Group 2 Godolphin Mile.
Having taken over at Zabeel Stables early last season, the younger Seemar wasted no time securing the trainers’ title at the first attempt. Of his three runners, Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea has opted to partner Law Of Peace. Equally valuable with a prize fund of $175,000, the turf highlight, for 3yos over 1800m, is the Jumeirah Classic, a race in which Charlie Appleby is seeking a fourth consecutive success and most eyes will be focused on his Naval Power, a Godolpin homebred Teofilo colt, beaten just once in fis starts.
That defeat was on his final start as a 2yo when beating just one of six rivals in the 1400m Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at the beginning of October. Thrice victorious over 1400m, he also landed his penultimate appearance, over 1600m, one of two Listed race victories appearing on his CV. If able to run to anything close to his lofty rating of 110, he will likely be very hard to beat and the trip looks likely to suit.
That said, his name does appear among the entries, over 1600m, for the Irish 2000 Guineas but we know he can go well fresh and Appleby will likely have him raring to go for this local debut. Long Kiss has the advantage of three outings already this season, registering a pair of 1400m victories, one on dirt, the second on turf, flashing home both times from a seemingly hopeless position.
Judged on his Meydan victories, the 1800m should be well within his stamina range and will likely suit. However, as the only runner foaled in the southern hemisphere, he does have to concede weight to all his rivals, something he has achieved twice though but probably not clashing with anything of Naval Power’s ability.
SELECTIONS
Race 1: Flying Hunter
Race 2: Batwan
Race 3: Withering
Race 4: Mawj (NB)
Race 5: Maydanny
Race 6: Prince Eiji
Race 7: Naval Power (Nap)
Race 8: Raaeb
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