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Opening Dubai World Cup Carnival 2021 Card Attracts Top Local And International Stars

The opening meeting of the 2021 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan on Thursday evening is a seven race card highlighted by three Group races in the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (Gr 2, 1600m), as well as the Al Fahidi Fort (Gr 2, 1400m) and Singspiel Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) and Frankie Dettori will be riding for Saeed bin Suroor in Dubai for the first time since loosing his Godolphin retainer. 

The Al Maktoum Challenge R1 has attracted a field of 11, all bar two representing trainers permanently based in the UAE.

One exception is Godolphin's dirt debutant, Gifts Of Gold (Invincible Spirit), representing the pairing of Saeed bin Suroor and Frankie Dettori who have already combined to win the race, inaugurated in 1994, on four occasions. Those four are a record for a jockey in this race whereas Bin Suroor is actually seeking a ninth triumph in the contest and is by far the most successful trainer in its history, although Shuruq in 2014 was his most recent winner.

Bin Suroor said: "We are basically taking a chance with Gifts Of Gold on a new surface and dropping him in trip. We hope he will handle the surface because he is a big, strong, versatile type who, if the dirt experiment does not work out, could go for something like the Al Rashidiya back on turf."

The only international challenger is Uruguayan dirt Grade One winner Ajuste Fiscal (Ioya Bigtime), a first UAE runner for trainer Antonio Cintra since 2010, the first season of racing at Meydan. The handler does have two previous UAE victories to his name and said: "It is great to be back and part of the carnival again. This is the best of the horses I have here this year and is very good on dirt.

"The trip will be a minimum for him, but the second and third rounds are over further and will suit him better."

In the long, illustrious, history of the race only Le Bernardin (Bernardini) has won it twice, successfully defending his crown in 2017, and Kimbear (Temple City) will try and emulate him for Doug Watson on what will be his seasonal debut.

Watson, who also saddles Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan), winner of the Dubai Creek Mile (Listed, 1600m) over course and distance on his latest start, said: "Both are in good shape at home. Obviously Thegreatcollection has the advantage of two runs under his belt whereas Kimbear does not, but we think both will run well."

Like Watson, Satish Seemar is seeking a third success in the race, following Surfer (Distorted Humor) in 2015 and North America (Dubawi) two years ago. He saddles three and said: "Quip, we think, is our best chance and we hope can show his true form this season, his first with us.

"Emblem Storm is working very well and Roman Rosso is a nice horse who can also run well."

Salem bin Ghadayer won the race in 2018 with Heavy Metal (Exceed And Excel) and relies on his 2019 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Capezzano (Bernardini) this year. A course and distance winner four times, he was third to Thegreatcollection on his return to action in the Dubai Creek Mile.

Bin Ghadayer said: "We were very pleased with his return under a penalty and should build on that, but having said that this is a tough race."

Seasonal debutant Military Law (Dubawi) represents Musabbeh Al Mheiri who said: "The 1600 metres is a good starting point, but he is better over further as we saw when he was second in both the 1900 metres second round and 2000 metres third round last year.

The joint turf highlight, theAl Fahidi Fort, looks likely to be dominated by the Godolphin trainers who are responsible for six of the ten runners between them.

Saeed bin Suroor saddles Final Song (Dark Angel), Silver Line (Dark Angel) and Land Of Legends (Iffraaj), the last named the mount of Frankie Dettori suggesting he is the main hope.

However, fellow Godolphin handler, Charlie Appleby, has a superb record in this particular race, saddling the winner in each season bar one since 2015.

Owned by HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing, Glorious Journey (Dubawi) landed the spoils last year, leading home an Appleby 1-2-3, while D'Bai (Dubawi) won the race in 2019, chased home by stable companion Mythical Magic (Iffraaj) who was also second 12 months ago.

They are joined by the exciting Velorum (Sea The Stars) with William Buick seemingly preferring Glorious Journey, James Doyle siding with D'Bai which leaves Mickael Barzalona the plum spare ride on Velorum.

Appleby said: "All three are course and distance winners who seem to prefer 1400 metres. It is a lovely situation to be in with three genuine contenders in such an important race."

If Charlie Appleby has dominated the Al Fahidi Fort in recent times, Saeed bin Suroor can claim the same in the Singspiel Stakes, winning the 1800 metre turf feature, inaugurated in 2012, five times in all and in each of the past three years.

Benbatl (Dubawi) landed the prize 12 months ago, regaining the crown he first won in 2018. Sandwiched in between was the victory of stable companion Dream Castle (Frankel) who will hope to emulate his illustrious stablemate by winning the race a second time. He was a late non-runner last year.

Pat Cosgrave partners Dream Castle with Frankie Dettori aboard Bin Suroor's second runner, Military March (New Approach), one of two four-year-olds in the race and not seen in public since an excellent fourth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) before a setback sadly ruled him out of the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f).

Bin Suroor said: "The race has been very kind to us, especially recently, and we have two good chances this time. Dream Castle loves racing in Dubai and just seems to come to life in the sunshine.

"He is in great form as is Military March, a lot less experienced horse, but a very smart one. Both should run well in what looks a strong renewal."

Appleby saddles three with William Buick's mount, Zakouski (Shamardal), winner of last year's Zabeel Mile (Gr 2, 1600m), seemingly holding the strongest claims.

Appleby said: "Zakouski was very progressive at the carnival last year and won his second start back in the UK. That was his latest appearance, at the end of October, after which we put him away with this race in mind."

Click here to view the race card.