Last warm-up before Dubai World Cup bash
DUBAI There is one more chance to see live action at Meydan racecourse before the Dubai World Cup fixture on April 5, when a nine-race card closes out the Dubai Racing Carnival on March 14.
As befitting a highly international Carnival, horses trained in six different countries will be in action across the card, which features three 190,000 dirham (S$69,000) handicaps and also some new faces in the jockeys' room, namely Indian champion Suraj Narredu, who returns to Dubai after 19 years, and Libyan rider Khaled Alalos.
The Longines Spirit Flyback Handicap (2,410m on turf), Race 5, features 14 runners, with the top weight the Hilal Kobeissi-trained Max Mayhem.
"We're hoping for another brave run from Max Mayhem after a solid third last time over his preferred distance (1,800m)," said the Newmarket-based trainer.
"We're hoping for another good run and have made a positive jockey booking in Adrie de Vries."
Two run for Spanish champion trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta - Thundering, with the owner's jockey Vaclav Janacek up, and Shamran, with Bernardo Pinheiro up.
Markakol impressed when running out a 1½-length winner of a 1,000m turf handicap in February. He faces 12 rivals over that same course and distance in the Longines Master Collection Handicap, slated as Race 7. He will be ridden by Ray Dawson, replacing apprentice Lorenzo Putzulu, who took three kilos off his back last time.
"Markakol struggled early in the season to adapt to his new surroundings and find his best form," said trainer Julio Olascoaga.
"But he's continued well after his last win and seems to be peaking in his condition now. However, this is a competitive race and he might miss the claim from last time out."
At his 60th career start and 13th at Meydan, Batwan has struggled this season but his owner and daily rider Marine Henry, wife of trainer Nicolas Caullery, has not lost faith in the Kendargent 10-year-old.
"Batwan runs over 1,000m and maybe this is one of the easier fields in that division over the last few years," she said.
"However, I hope I'm wrong, but he's shown in his last few runs that he needs further now. But we know he always tries his best."
The Caullery stable also runs the Moroccan-bred Russipant Fal in the Longines Legend Diver Handicap (2,000m dirt), which is Race 4.
It will be his fourth start of the Carnival but first on dirt, which Henry hopes will be a positive.
"Russipant was not really lucky during this Carnival, so why not have a try on the dirt?" she said. "He continues to look good in his condition but you never know how they will handle the kickback."
The same race sees a rematch between Mashkoor and Havandi, who were separated by less than a length when Mashkoor got up close home to deny Havandi over 2,000m in February.
Havandi's trainer Nina Lensvik is hopeful her charge can turn that form around, saying: "It's always very competitive during the Carnival but I'm optimistic that he can finish among the first few."
Earlier on, Olascoaga's Expert Choice aims for two wins in a row in the Longines Conquest Handicap (1,400m on turf).
"He's a horse who's developed through the season," he said. "He doesn't show much in the mornings but performs in the afternoons, always above expectations.
"This time he steps up into a more competitive category and drops in trip which shouldn't be a problem for him. We're happy that Jim Crowley, who really seems to understand him, is onboard again."
Expert Choice's 15 rivals include two for Saeed bin Suroor, Olympic Candle and Arabic Art, while last week's winner El Bosnia goes for Janacek and Arizkorreta. DUBAI RACING CLUB
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