Racing enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting weekend as the Saudi Cup, the world’s richest horse race with a purse of $20 million, takes center stage in Riyadh on Saturday. However, before that major event, Meydan will host a thrilling night of racing on Friday, featuring high-quality races as part of the Dubai Racing Carnival.
As Meydan prepares for the 30th anniversary of the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 28, this week’s Carnival features an enticing eight-race card sponsored by Longines. The buzz around the event suggests that several competitors might shift their focus toward Dubai.
Among the noteworthy races will be the Dh 250,000 Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback Handicap, where a competitive field of 14 will compete over 1400 meters. Three of the horses have excelled in their previous outings, with particular attention on Charlie Appleby’s Beccali, who has shown great potential, as well as Hamad Al Jehani-trained English Oak, known for consistency at this level.
British horses have made a significant impact during the Carnival, and two standout performers represent the UK. The Fingal Raven arrives at Meydan following a recent victory, with trainer Jamie Osborne looking to tap into the horse’s growing abilities. He noted, “He seems to have bounced out of his win a fortnight ago. This will probably require a lifetime best, but he has the ability to step up again. The draw could have been kinder.”
Trainer Richard Spencer is optimistic about Hawksbill’s chances after experiencing a challenging start in his last race. “Hawksbill ran well (5th) on his first start in Meydan, but his last run was marred by issues at the start,” he remarked. “We’re dropping back to the seven furlongs so hopefully he can settle, and we’ll see a better performance than we did on his last start.”
Meydan’s 1400-meter turf course favors tactical speed, which means a fast early pace could benefit a closer. The Fingal Raven, starting from stall 13, faces an uphill challenge, but Osborne’s previous success as a five-time Carnival winner offers hope for a strong showing.
One of the significant races supporting the main event is the Longines Primaluna Handicap (2000m Turf), where Silver Sword aims for another Carnival victory. Trainer Dylan Cunha expressed confidence, stating, “Silver Sword loves Dubai. This is a good spot for him. He’s in great form, and I expect the usual solid performance back up in trip.”
Race four features the Longines Spirit Pilot Handicap (1600m Dirt), showcasing British horse Gun Carriage, who finally has a favorable draw after performing well but not winning in previous outings. Cunha commented on this promising development: “Gun Carriage finally has a good draw (1). He’s run really well without winning… I hope to see him get it right on Friday.”
In this race, he will meet strong competition, including Laasudood, trained by Bhupat Seemar and ridden by Canadian jockey Chantal Sutherland, who is aiming for her first win since recovering from a serious riding accident last year. Her return to racing in Dubai symbolizes a significant comeback in her career.
While the Saudi Cup weekend is expected to dominate headlines, Dubai’s vibrant racing narrative continues to unfold, adding excitement to the global racing calendar.
For those interested in the day’s highlights, here are the KT selections:
– Race 1: Af Yatwa’ad
– Race 2: La Yetal
– Race 3: War Hawk
– Race 4: Laasudood
– Race 5: Beccali
– Race 6: Elusive Trevor
– Race 7: Saarim
– Race 8: No Escape
The day’s top selection is Beccali, setting the stage for an exciting evening at Meydan.