Via JN Campbell
Dubai World Cup Carnival adds its own footnote to the study of flags, called vexillology for the more serious, as its aim is to attract horses from around the world. As the meet-up continues on the big night in late March, another Friday of the race will come with a trio of Group 3 events.
Waving Godolphin Blue
G3 Dubai Millennium S. sports this week’s title, as a 1st place winner National Pride (Ire) (Teophilo {Ire}) returns for a new post-season campaign that could be considered a success in 2022. Purebred Godolphin won last year at Meydan in the Jumeirah Derby, before competing at Newmarket , Epsom, in the ‘Turf Triple’ at each of the NYRA Courses in Stateside and finally in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf, where he placed fifth behind his stablemate Rebel’s Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire} ). Wearing blue earned him an Eclipse Award nomination in the Men’s Lawn Division following his victories in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. in August and the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. in September. as well as his runner-up attempt in the first leg of the Turf Triple, the GI Belmont Derby Invtiational S. in July. The 4-year-old foal will be returning with 10 long hairs here as a worthy favorite in the European markets.
“There will be some improvements to anything he does [Nations Pride] Coach Charlie Appleby said he will perform when he returns seasonally, as we hope that he has another international campaign ahead of him this year, said coach Charlie Appleby. “Depending on how he gets here, we will look into the possibility of looking at it [G1] Jebel Hatta [on Super Saturday] or [G1] Dubai Lawn [on Dubai World Cup night].”
Appleby also runs multi-stakes and multi-stake winners Ottoman Fleet (GB) (star sea {Ire}), third place in G2 Singspiel S. last time. “A return to this distance looks like it could benefit the Ottoman Fleet based on his two runs so far this year,” he continued. “He entered the race with a strong horse with a solid body all around, so he should be a major player.”
French Double Listed Winner Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) is aiming to improve after fourth place at G3 Al Rashidiya on January 13.
Longshot at Nad Al Sheba
As for the other group races on Friday, a real prep and distance test for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup will be overseen at 14 tables on the pitch in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy S. Godolphin, winner won nine times, had an advantage with four athletes in Global Heat (Ire) Tornado (Ire), Bright Light (GB) (star sea), Siskany (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire} and Kemari (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Charlie Appleby said: “Siskany looks great and will be a player if he brings his best form to the table. “He won the race and the trip, so he looks like the one they have to beat.
“Kemari will also be competitive if he can get his old form back. He ran some steady races last year but can be a bit inconsistent these days.
Coach Saeed bin Suroor, Godolphin’s colleague added, “Global Heat won this trip at the Al Khail Trophy and overcame his recent handicap on a good note. He is fine and I hope for another good attempt. Brilliant Light performed well last week and have some good form this distance. He is ready to return and will appreciate the step forward on the trip.
Not to be missed is intern Amy Murphy Magical Morning (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), a quality long-shot and can act as a guide, if the gelding can handle long distances.
American Jaunt continues in UAE Oaks
Closing Friday’s Group 3 events is a Classic game on a clay oval featuring seven fillings. Of these, Mimi Kakushi (City Of Light) looks best, not because her barn won this race last year, but because this gulf girl clearly enjoys the Meydan surface – including two wins in The UAE 1000 Guineas test over 1400 meters on December 23, and in the UAE 1000 Guineas Notes contest listed went up to a mile on January 20. Seven fillings completed the UAE Guineas/Oaks double , with Shahama (Munnings), then runner-up in the GII Mother Goose S. and winner of the GIII Monmouth Oaks in the US, most recently in 2022.
Standing in her way will be an American Please (Goldencents) for coach Doug O’Neill. Having only run on grass since her California debut at Del Mar on August 1, she last finished third in the Blue Norther S. at Santa Anita, just behind the next winner, Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB} ). Her barn took a nice win last Friday with Tall Boy (Looking Lucky) in G3 UAE 2000 Guineas.
