The eyes of the racing world will be firmly fixed on Meydan on Thursday evening for the eagerly awaited first night of the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival, highlighted by the opening rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
Both are over 1600m, with the Thoroughbred version, which carries Group 2 status, looking particularly competitive with 15 set to go to post.
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Trainer Saeed bin Suroor, seeking a ninth victory in a race first run in 1994, relies on Emirates Flyer, set to sport the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, not the Godolphin blue most often associated with the trainer.
Bin Suroor said: “He has been working very nicely and is a horse who always tries his best. He will certainly improve for the run but we are hoping for a big effort.”
Emirates Flyer was third in last year’s UAE Derby in March and will be ridden by James Doyle.
The Godolphin silks will be carried by Outstrip, trained by Charlie Appleby for whom he was a first Group One winner when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2013. He has not won since but has faced some stiff tasks in the interim.
Adam Kirby takes the ride and Appleby said: “He works particularly well on the dirt at home and we think the turns at Meydan will really suit him.
“It is obviously a tough race but he deserves his chance and we exp-ect him to go well. We are going to learn a lot about him, especially regarding the surface.”
South African Mike De Kock has both Royal Ridge, the mount of Paul Hanagan and Zahee, to be ridden by Christophe Soumillon in the field.
The most successful international trainer at the Carnival said: “Both have been working well but will progress with a run under their belt. Royal Ridge has really adapted well to the surface in his work and can hopefully replicate that in a race situation."
De Kock is also doubly represented in the Listed Singspiel Stakes over 1800m on turf with Mushreq, winner of the same race last year, back to defend his crown under Paul Hanagan.
Soumillon partners stable companion Sanshaawes, who was last seen when well beaten in the Dubai World Cup.
Silver Galaxy could turn golden for Al Muhairi at Jebel Ali
Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi, who has been firing in winners left, right and centre in recent weeks, is seeking a fourth consecutive victory in Friday’s Listed Jebel Ali Stakes over 1950m with Silver Galaxy.
Interpret won the race last year, under Silvestre De Sousa, and following in the hoofprints of dual winner Treble Jig. And it is De Sousa in the saddle on Silver Galaxy, his sole representative this year.
Unraced in the UK, the 4yo only made his debut on November 20 and only lost his maiden tag at the third attempt, in a 1600m Jebel Ali maiden. His only subsequent start produced a remarkable effort when destroying 12 rivals in an 1800m handicap, also at Jebel Ali.
Al Muhairi also had Interpret among the entries but has elected to rely on De Sousa’s mount. The Brazilian, a former Godolphin jockey, said: “I am really looking forward to riding him on Friday as he is rapidly improving.
“Obviously this is a lot tougher challenge than those he has faced so far but he is a horse we really like. We have to be very hopeful.”
Trained on the course by Dhruba Selvaratnam, Dormello, the mount of Oisin Murphy, looks one of the main dangers, despite two average efforts so far this season.
Selvaratnam said: “This has been his target for the first part of the season and hopefully, he will run a big race. Silver Galaxy was ultra impressive the last time and could be the one we all have to beat.”
Doug Watson relies on Jutland, second in the race in 2013 but only fifth 12 months ago. He was a course and distance winner on his only start so far this season and has been given a 46-day break to arrive here fresh.
The Satish Seemar-trained Mawhub has won his two most recent starts, both over 1800m at Jebel Ali, and has looked progressive in the process. He has to be feared also in a fascinating renewal of the course’s first big race of the season.
The Jebel Ali Mile prep, over 1600m, has only attracted a field of five, including last year’s winner, the Al Muhairi-trained Colmar Kid. However, De Sousa elects to ride stable companion Atlantic Brave, a recent winner at Meydan.
