Dubai: Cape Verdi highlights Jan. 16 card at Meydan

The Dubai Racing Club previews the Jan. 16 program at Meydan, which begins at 8:30 a.m. ET. 

Dual South African Group 1 winner Quid Pro Quo is among the leading lights at Meydan’s bumper 10-race Dubai Racing Carnival meeting on Friday.

Quid Pro Quo makes her local debut in the Cape Verdi (G2) [sponsored by Azizi Developments], race seven, over 1600 meters on turf. Winner of the Allan Robertson Championship (G1) and Douglas Whyte S. (G1) for trainer Barend Botes, the four-year-old filly is now in the care of owners Team Valor and France-based trainer Jerome Reynier. She warmed up for this assignment by finishing 10th in the Listed Prix Miss Satamixa at Deauville on Dec. 13.

“Quid Pro Quo has adapted very well to her new environment,” reported Reynier. “She’s moving really well on the dirt, but we are looking forward to seeing her back on turf.

“Obviously it will be a very different set up to her reappearance the other day on Polytrack, when she went right-handed against a big field. We’re hopeful we will see her full potential on Friday. Fingers crossed she will run well and aim for the Balanchine (G2) next time out.”

Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, added: “We are very much looking forward to her in the Cape Verdi, with a return to the grass and having a race under her girth after a lengthy absence.”

Quid Pro Quo’s five rivals include three-time winner Riyabovka for trainer Nicolas Caullery, who has been in the UAE since November but makes her Meydan debut this weekend.

“She’s quite happy in Dubai but she still has her ugly (winter) coat,” said Marine Henry, wife and assistant to trainer Nicolas Caullery. “I think she might need the run, but there’s just six runners and if she can get fourth or third, we’ll be really happy.”

Norwegian trainer Silja Storen has her first Meydan runner in Capitana Bling, winner of a Listed race at Bro Park, Sweden, in September.

“She has settled in well,” said the ex-jockey. “She needed some time after the travel, as we had very bad conditions at home the last weeks before traveling, so she’s excused if she needs the race.

“She’s an easy filly to train, she doesn’t need too much, and she is very honest so she will give us what she can.”

Saeed bin Suroor, who has won this race five times, runs Dubai Treasure and Dubai Beach. Dubai Treasure finished eighth in the Listed Dubai Dash in December, while Dubai Beach was beaten a head by Molaqab over 1400 meters on her course debut last week.

“Dubai Treasure came out of her last run well,” said the trainer. “This will be her first try at a mile, and I am hoping that she can relax into a nice rhythm, which will give her the best chance of staying the trip.

“Dubai Beach finished a close second last time out and is a mare who is improving with time. We will give her a chance at this level, and I am looking for another good run.”

Fillies on Classic Trail in Cocoa Beach

The main supporting race is the 400,000 Cocoa Beach S., race eight, for three-year-old fillies on the dirt. Fifteen line up, including Labwah, who beat several of these rivals in the Shahama S. a month ago.

“Labwah is in good order,” said trainer Salem bin Ghadayer. “It’s a furlong longer than what she won over last time, but that will help her. There are two or three fillies who should provide pace which will also suit her.”

The Emirati handler also runs debutante She’s Essential, a daughter of Essential Quality.

“She’s Essential is a bit behind Labwah in her fitness,” he reported. “We started late with her, and I didn’t want to push her too much. She’s a nice filly but she needs the race, so it will be more an education for her, and we will learn more afterwards."

Eight-time UAE champion trainer Doug Watson runs an interesting local newcomer in Pretty And Famous, winner of one of her four starts at Rostov in Russia.

“She’s worked well at home and has some form from Russia,” said the trainer. “We took her over to work on Sunday at Meydan, when she worked fantastic and couldn’t have blown out a candle afterwards.

“I’ve probably only had her for about five or six weeks, so it’s kind of hard to get too much of a gauge on her, but she seems all right. I wouldn’t know how she stacks up against these until we run, but from her homework she looks pretty decent.”

International Look to Vazirabad Handicap

Horses from five different countries clash in the concluding Vazirabad Handicap, over 2410 meter on turf.

UK-based Australian trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam has her first Dubai runners since 2023 and has a team of three, including Claymore, who takes his chance here.

The seven-year-old was the winner of the local Group 1 Kinscsem Dij in Hungary in September and arrived in Dubai on Saturday.

“The first start for all of them will be interesting as the travel and heat may play a big part in their performance, as the UK has had a very cold couple of weeks,” said the Group 1-winning handler.

“Silvestre (de Sousa) will ride Claymore, which is fantastic as he gets a great tune out of him, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he handles the evening.”

Spain-based Venezuelan trainer Efrain Arguinzones has his first Dubai runner here with the nine-year-old Irish-bred Finely Tuned, a seven-time winner. The trainer issued a brief update, saying: “he has settled in very well. Overall, we are happy with the facilities.”

Globetrotting Socks Returns

Norway-based trainer Niels Petersen has four runners on Friday including War Socks, who lines up in the Burj Azizi H., race three, over a mile on turf.

The four-year-old is on his second Carnival, having finished third in the Listed Jumeirah Guineas last season, before running with credit in big field handicaps at Royal Ascot and Goodwood.

“War Socks is well and has really matured; he’s been working well in Dubai,” said Petersen. “He’s improved a lot, and I’m really looking forward to him.”

War Socks’ 13 rivals include Group 2 winner Flight Plan and UAE newcomer Hawksbill, who makes his first start for Richard Spencer, having been purchased for 175,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale in October.

“Hawksbill was one we targeted quite early as he suits running round a bend,” said Spencer. “Since he’s been with us, he’s settled down a lot. He’s really taken to training in Dubai, and we’re looking forward to seeing him run.”

Spencer runs two in the Azizi Venice H., race six, over 1200 meters on turf. Run Boy Run and Righthere Rightnow both ran over course and distance two weeks ago, finishing ninth and fourth, respectively, behind stablemate Two Tribes.

“Righthere Rightnow has drawn 14,” said the trainer. “If he can get a bit of cover this time, which he didn’t get the last start but still ran well, then I think he can run a big race.

“Run Boy Run is drawn two, so we’re on the wing again with him. Hopefully he can take a step forward from his first start in Dubai. He pulled both front shoes off in the last race which obviously didn’t help.”

Chapple-Hyam runs local debutant Calyxoh, who drops in trip here having been campaigned over 1400 meters of late.

“Calyxoh is an interesting horse,” she said. “A lot depends on what mood he is in, but he has the ability to be in the shake-up at one of the races over the next few weeks.”