Horses representing four different countries will line up at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, as the international flavour of the Dubai Racing Carnival continues to deliver competitive fields and compelling storylines. The Meydan Racecourse Friday preview highlights a packed evening programme featuring deep handicaps on both turf and dirt, with several in-form stables hoping to finish the Carnival strongly before the season’s showpiece meetings.
The official feature of the night is the AED300,000 Phi Advertising Handicap, race five over 1600 metres on turf, which has drawn a capacity field of 15 runners. Among them are four representatives from the powerful stable of Charlie Appleby — King’s Charter, Cavallo Bay, Indian Springs and Hallasan — each bringing solid form into a highly competitive contest.
Top weight King’s Charter will be partnered by former UAE Champion Jockey Richie Mullen. The gelding finished a close second in the Lord Glitters Handicap last month and is expected to appreciate the return to the mile distance.
“All four of Charlie’s have good chances and he’s out in stall 10, which makes things more difficult,” Mullen said. “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 strong race behind Quddwah.
“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 a productive Carnival campaign and sends out The Fingal Raven, a previous course-and-distance winner who finished fifth over 1400 metres on his latest outing.
“Fingal appears to be thriving at the moment,” Osborne said. “A return to 1600 metres is in his favour and the draw gods have been a little kinder on this occasion. We’re hopeful.”
Meydan Racecourse Friday Preview: Strong Fields Across the Card
Earlier on the card, race four — another Phi Advertising Handicap run over 1900 metres on dirt — has attracted a maximum field of 16 runners.
Trainer David Menuisier saddles City Of Delight, a three-year-old who arrives in good form after a narrow defeat on turf behind Ruling Dynasty.
“City Of Delight has been in really good form all winter,” Menuisier explained. “He was unlucky not to win on turf the other day and went up four pounds, but his handicap mark on the dirt has stayed the same, so we’re hoping he can take advantage of that.”
Despite being drawn wide again, the stable remains optimistic the colt can deliver a strong performance.
Mullen will instead partner Estmrar, trained by Simon Crisford and Ed Crisford. The runner finished second over 2000 metres a month ago and returns to action with encouraging recent form.
“It was a nice run last time out,” said Mullen. “The draw isn’t ideal, but he’s a horse who likes to find a rhythm. If we can overcome the gate, he should run well.”
Silver Sword Seeks Third Carnival Success
One of the evening’s most popular runners will be Silver Sword, trained by Dylan Cunha. The gelding bids for his third victory of the Carnival in race three, the ARN Handicap over 1800 metres on turf.
“Silver Sword loves Dubai and has had a great season,” Cunha said. “He’s been very consistent and should go close again.”
The trainer also saddles Tailgunner Joe, a three-year-old who finished sixth in the Listed Jumeirah 2000 Guineas after winning at the course two starts earlier.
“Tailgunner Joe has also had a great season,” Cunha added. “He’s drawn wide unfortunately but will be finishing strongly and will need a bit of luck.”
Cunha believes his best opportunity may come later in the programme when Gun Carriage lines up in the closing Binghatti Handicap over 1600 metres on dirt. The four-year-old finished fourth in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile last time out and returns with strong claims.
“Gun Carriage has had a good season without winning,” the trainer said. “This looks his best chance yet and he’s our strongest runner of the day.”
Among his rivals is the three-time course winner Nyaar, trained by Doug Watson, who finished second over 1400 metres last week.
“Nyaar came out of the race in very good shape,” Watson said. “This will be his final run of the season and the draw should allow him to settle nicely behind the pace.”
Carrying top weight in the race is Shaq Diesel from the yard of Bhupat Seemar. The imposing runner makes his second local start after finishing seventh over 1400 metres on his recent debut.
“I’ve ridden him a couple of times at home and he’s a huge horse,” Mullen said. “He should improve from that first run, and the gate position looks fine. We should see a better version of him this time.”
The evening begins with the second round of the Purebred Arabians’ Triple Crown, where a full field of 16 runners will contest the opening event. Watson’s Moroccan-bred Salim Nour Grine, who won on debut locally at Al Ain last month, is expected to attract significant attention.
“He’s a really nice horse,” Watson said. “He’s calm, does everything right at home and showed his ability when winning at Al Ain. He has form on turf as well, so we’re looking forward to seeing how he measures up here.”
With strong international representation and several in-form contenders, the Meydan Racecourse Friday preview promises an evening of high-quality racing as the Dubai Carnival edges closer to its grand finale.
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