Dubai: Preview of Meydan March 13

The Dubai Racing Club previews the Friday card, the finale of the Carnival at Meydan, with a first post of 9:30 a.m. ET. The climax of the Emirates racing season, Dubai World Cup Day, is set for March 28. 

Horses from four different countries will do battle at Meydan Racecourse on Friday as the international theme of the Dubai Racing Carnival meeting continues right through to the final meeting.

The official feature is the Phi Advertising Handicap, race five, over 1600 meters on turf. It has attracted a bumper field of 15, including four trained by Charlie Appleby: King’s Charter, Cavallo Bay, Indian Springs, and Hallasan.

Former UAE champion jockey Richie Mullen rides top weight King’s Charter, a length second in the Lord Glitters Handicap last month.

“All four of Charlie’s have good chances, and he’s out in stall 10, which makes things more difficult," said the rider. "His form is rock solid. He stepped forward from his first run and had a big run behind Dividend, who has won since and who ran a big race behind Quddwah (in the Feb. 28 Singspiel (G2). 

“He’s stepping back to a mile, but he’s won over this trip, and he’s a horse who doesn’t lack pace.”

British trainer Jamie Osborne has enjoyed an excellent Carnival with six winners, including The Fingal Raven, who won over course and distance two starts ago before finishing fifth over 1400 meters last time out.

“Fingal appears to be thriving at the moment,” he said. “A return to 1600 meters is in his favor, and the draw gods have been a little kinder on this occasion (post 7). We’re hopeful.”

Menuisier Hopes for Delight

There is an oversubscribed field of 16 for race four, the 1900-meter Phi Advertising Handicap, on dirt.

Trainer David Menuisier is looking forward to a Dubai World Cup night runner in Sunway in the Dubai Gold Cup (G2), but in the meantime, runs three-year-old City Of Delight here.

“City Of Delight has been in really good form all winter,” said the Frenchman. “He was really unlucky not to win on turf the other day (second to Ruling Dynasty) and went up four pounds (in the ratings), but his handicap on the dirt has stayed the same, so we’re trying to see if he can take advantage of that.

“I think he handles the surface absolutely fine, but sadly every time he’s run on dirt he’s been drawn wide and unfortunately that’s the case again (post 12). Let’s hope he has a little bit of luck this time. I would be thrilled if he could win – it would make a good meeting in Dubai a great meeting.”

Mullen takes him on with Estmrar, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, who finished second over 2000 meters a month ago.

“It was a nice run last time out to finish behind Valdivia, who came out and ran a good race last week,” said the Group 1-winning rider. “He obviously has a live chance, but the draw hasn’t helped – 16 of 16 isn’t the best.

“It’s probably one which wouldn’t affect him that much as he likes to be in one rhythm, so if we can overcome that draw, I’d be hopeful of a big run.”

Silver Sword Goes for Third Carnival Win  

One of the most popular runners on Friday is Dylan Cunha’s Silver Sword, who goes for his third Carnival win in the ARN Handicap, race three, over 1800 meters on turf.

“Silver Sword loves Dubai and has had a great season,” said the Newmarket-based handler. “He will go close again.”

Cunha is two-pronged in the race, also sending out three-year-old Tailgunner Joe. A winner here two starts ago, he was a creditable sixth in the Listed Jumeirah 2000 Guineas last time out.

“Tailgunner Joe has also had a great season,” he said. “He’s badly drawn, unfortunately (post 13), but will be flying late and will need lots of luck. He’s absolutely bouncing at home.”

Cunha believes his better chances come later in the evening, including Asgard's Captain in race seven and Gun Carriage, who runs in the closing Binghatti Handicap, over 1600 meters on dirt. The four-year-old was fourth in the Jebel Ali Mile (G3) last time out.

“Gun Carriage has had a good season without winning,” said the trainer. “This is his best chance yet, and he’s our best runner of the day.”

Eight go against Gun Carriage, including three-time course winner Nyaar, who finished second last week over 1400 metres.

“Nyaar came out of the race in very good shape, and this is the last race this season for him,” said trainer Doug Watson. “I like the draw out there (post 7) as he can stalk the pace and not use too much (energy) getting hassled like he did last time.”

Top weight is carried by the Bhupat Seemar-trained Shaq Diesel, who makes his second local start having finished seventh over 1400 meters three weeks ago.

“I’ve sat on him a couple of times at home and he’s a huge, big horse,” said Mullen, who gets the ride. “Naturally, he would have come forward from that first start behind Khanjah, which wasn’t too disappointing, over seven furlongs.

“His form from America suggest he’s solid from 1200 meters to 1400 meters, and he has gate eight, which should be fine in a small field. We should see a better version of him this time out.”

Racing gets underway with the Purebred Arabians’ Triple Crown Round 2 (sponsored by Fazaa), in which a full field of 16 go to post.

Watson runs the Moroccan-bred Salim Nour Grine, who won on local debut at Al Ain last month.

“He’s a really, really nice horse,” he said. “He’s so calm and does everything right at home. He had a nice first win for us at Al Ain on the dirt, but he’s had some decent runs in France on the turf, so I don’t think that will be a problem.

“He’s a big Arabian, and he’s got the disposition, the ability; he works great, and he should have come forward from that last run. We’ll see how he stacks up.”