Meydan Racecourse is set to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a thrilling evening of racing as the twelfth Dubai Racing Carnival card unfolds on Friday. With runners representing seven countries, the international flavor of the event is unmistakable, promising a night of high-quality competition.
The feature race of the evening, the Lincoln Aviator Presidential Handicap, boasts a strong field of ten vying for the AED350,000 purse. Michael Costa, the season’s leading trainer, saddles three contenders, with stable jockey Ben Coen taking the reins on SALEYMM, who finished third on dirt in his latest outing. Costa had initially planned a shorter trip for the five-year-old but is confident this race will determine his next steps, either toward the Ras Al Khor or a return to dirt for the Burj Nahaar. His other two runners, EMBESTO and ELNAJMM, arrive with different profiles, EMBESTO making his second local appearance after a run at Jebel Ali, while ELNAJMM, a recent recruit from William Haggas, will be looking to build on his experience over a shorter trip before stepping up in distance.
Godolphin fields two strong challengers in NATIVE APPROACH and CREATIVE STORY, both last-time-out winners at Meydan for Charlie Appleby. Buick has opted to ride CREATIVE STORY, who impressed on his Dubai debut, while NATIVE APPROACH seeks redemption following a lackluster performance in the Al Fahidi Fort after a striking win in the Business Bay Challenge. Appleby remains confident in both, expecting a strong showing.
Another compelling entry is EL NASSEEB, a dual winner at Meydan who now transitions to turf after excelling on dirt under the guidance of Musabbeh Al Mheiri. His adaptability will be tested as he takes on a new challenge.
The second race of the night, the Lincoln Corsair Handicap over 2000 meters on turf, welcomes a fresh face to Meydan in Georges Mikhalides. The Qatar-based multiple Group 1-winning trainer saddles KADOVAR, a versatile performer with victories at both Epsom and Doha. Drawn wide in stall 15, Mikhalides remains optimistic, especially with the highly capable Dylan McMonagle booked for the ride. Meanwhile, Lucie Botti’s BERKSHIRE NUGGET also faces a tough starting position from gate 16 but arrives in excellent form following a narrow second-place finish last month.
Swedish trainer Nina Lensvik adds to the international presence with HAVANDI in the Lincoln Handicap over 2200 meters. The lightly raced four-year-old has shown promise on dirt at home, and Lensvik is hopeful that the input of Silvestre de Sousa, who has been regularly riding the horse in training, will translate into a strong performance on race night.
The evening’s action kicks off with the Al Tayer Motors Handicap for Purebred Arabians over 2000 meters, where SAND STORM AA aims to follow up on her recent success over a shorter trip. Trainer Ernst Oertel also runs AF AFHAM, the choice of Tadhg O’Shea, and a horse he believes has the potential to perform at a higher level despite inconsistent results.
With an exciting mix of top-level competitors, Friday’s Valentine’s Day card at Meydan promises to deliver another memorable night of racing. Fans can secure tickets starting from AED5 via dubairacingclub.com, while those seeking a special dining experience can enjoy a themed menu at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant.
