Dubai: Preview of Meydan March 6

The Dubai Racing Club previews Friday’s card, which is scheduled to go forward at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Marbaan and Mysterious Night, first and second 12 months ago, go head-to-head in the Ras Al Khor (G3) (sponsored by Emaar) – the feature race of Friday’s Dubai Racing Carnival meeting at Meydan.

Mysterious Night rarely runs a bad race at this track and returns after finishing fifth in the Al Fahidi Fort (G2) last time out.

“Mysterious Night likes the seven-furlong course at Meydan and goes into this in good order,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “He was caught a little wide in the Al Fahidi Fort, and there’s a chance the same thing might happen again here with his draw in 13. If he can work out a decent trip, he should be bang there at the finish.”

Marbaan’s trainer Michael Costa also runs Elnajmm, who returned from a layoff with victory in the Al Fahidi Fort, beating the re-opposing Chicago Critic.

“Elnajmm looks spot on,” said the Jebel Ali Stables trainer. “Marbaan’s gallop (at Meydan) last week was OK without being anything to get excited about.”

Chicago Critic’s trainer Johnny Murtagh is waiting for his first Meydan winner since his hugely successful riding career and hopes to get the job done this weekend.

“He was a bit unlucky, he just got touched off on the line,” he said of his last run here. “He likes it round here and has been running very consistently. He looks very well and breezed well, he’s tough, genuine and likes fast ground.”

The race also features the 2024 winner, Fort Payne, who goes for the in-form Nicolas Caullery team.

“We had a bit of think about whether to run on Super Saturday or 6 March, but Nico didn’t want to run both him and King Gold in the same race, and we know Fort Payne can go on turf,” said Marine Henry, wife and assistant to Caullery.

“We were a bit disappointed with his last race on dirt, also, so this is another reason to go to the turf.”

Appleby’s Godolphin colleague Saeed bin Suroor sends out Dubai Treasure, third in the Cape Verdi (G2) and Balanchine (G2) on her last two outings.

“Dubai Treasure ran well in the Balanchine, when she didn’t get the nine furlongs but stuck to her task,” said the trainer. “Dropping back to seven furlongs will help, although she is taking on male opposition this time.

“She is a tough filly, who always tries her best, and I’m hoping for another good effort.”

Arabian Stars Battle in Mazrat

The Purebred Arabians’ Mazrat Al Ruwayah (G2)(sponsored by Emaar), race one, features the defending champion Djafar, who has moved to Doug Watson since his victory in this race a year ago. Last time out he was seventh in the Mneefah Cup (G1), over 2100 meters, in Riyadh.

“Djafar is a neat little horse,” he said. “He’s nine years old now and has had a very busy schedule. I think this is more his trip, I don’t think he got the trip in Saudi, but he came back in really good shape.

“Hopefully he runs a race like he did last year. Obviously, the turf is fine and he’s handled everything very well.”

Watson runs Arlan in the Emaar Champion S., race five, over 2200 meters on dirt. The four-year-old was second in the Listed Jebel Ali S. last time out.

“I thought he would run well first time out, but he was heavy and the track was deep,” said the trainer. “He came back and ran second at a mile and then won two in a row over a mile and a quarter up the hill (at Jebel Ali).

“He was the second lowest rated in the Jebel Ali S., and he ran a cracker in a good time but got outkicked by Killer Collect. It was a nice race for him, so we’ll see what he can do at Meydan now he’s fully fit.”

Up against him is Claymore, who tries the dirt for the first time for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, who explained why.

“He’s got such a high action and he really grabs the ground,” she said. “It’s a mile and three furlongs, so I think the trip is fine and he got dropped a few pounds (in the ratings), to 95, so I think it’s favorable.

“We’re back down in the class that we should be after being a bit brave and going to Abu Dhabi last time out.”  

Busy Evening for Cintra-Olascoaga Team

Joint trainers Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga have a busy evening with nine runners, including three in the 1400-meter Emaar Surge H., race two.

On paper, Go Chrome Go holds the best chance, having finished fourth here over 1400 meters last time out.

“He’s been here for a few seasons now, but this year has regained the ability that brought him here,” said Olascoaga. “He has been very strong to overcome some health issues that looked career-ending at one stage.

“Just seeing him being competitive makes us proud of the teamwork that brought him back, and special credit goes to his farrier Julien Daublain.”

Olascoaga runs Donde Firmo in race four, the Emaar Momentum H., over 1200 meters on turf. The three-year-old steps up in trip, having been only beaten 3 1/2 lengths over 1000 meter last time out.

“Considering he’s a South American-bred three-year-old, and this is his first season in UAE, I’m quite pleased with what we’ve seen from him,” he said. “I’m quite sure there’s more to come, as he has shown can handle both turf and dirt sprints. This race may be a good stepping point.”

Three-Year-Olds in Competitive Heat

Fourteen three-year-olds clash in the penultimate Next Mile By Emaar Conditions event, over 1200 meters on dirt. They include Cintra and Olascoaga’s speedy Miss Yechance, who reverts to this surface after three good efforts on turf, including a win.

“Miss Yechance returns to dirt, and it will probably be her last start this season in UAE after a successful campaign,” said Olascoaga. “She’s become a stable favorite and hopefully will get her black type this summer in Europe.

“We think it’s a good option to run her on dirt, as she already shown can handle it, on her good first run behind (UAE 2000 Guineas [G3] winner) Six Speed. Francisco Leandro returns to the saddle, and he knows her well.”

Olascoaga also runs Dream Of Tuscany, who trialed well here last month, crossing the line in second.

“Dream Of Tuscany has been progressing in the last weeks,” he said. “He arrived to us a little bit later than we would like but has taken all the stages of training well.

“He may find this conditions race a bit sharp for a first start, but we think it’s a reasonable starting point. He’s one of the horses we look forward most for next season.”