Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is looking to Dream Castle to continue his excellent run of local results in Saturday’s Dubai Turf at Meydan.
The five-year-old arrives in the UAE for the 1800m turf feature on the back of three successive victories, including his wi in Super Saturday’s Group 1 Jebel Hatta on March 9.
The gelded son of Frankel showed a devastating turn of foot to make it a clean sweep at Meydan after victories on January 3 and 24.
But for all his class, the in-form Dream Castle will face the tough challenge of stablemate Wootton and four-time G1 winner Almond Eye, a horse who has not been beaten since August 2017.
Bin Suroor said: “Dream Castle has really thrived over nine furlongs this year and is unbeaten in three starts at Meydan, including a very good win in the Jebel Hatta on his latest appearance.
“He worked well on Saturday and is in good form at the moment.
“This is a very tough race, but Dream Castle has improved with each run this year and I think he is nearly at the same level as Benbatl, who won this race for us 12 months ago.
Wootton trainer Charlie Appleby said: “It looked as though Wootton enjoyed the step up to nine furlongs in the Jebel Hatta and he won’t look out of place in this line-up.
“He seems more relaxed in his races – he travels well and is doing everything the right way round.
“We all have Almond Eye to beat but, if Wootton puts up another solid run, it should give him a great chance of making the frame.”
VERDICT: Almond Eye
Dream Castle and Wootton are both lovely, confidence horses, but the impressive Almond Eye is unbeaten in his last seven races, stretching back to over 19 months ago. The four-year-old filly should win at ease.
