On the heels of a 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival when stable star Suedois was a popular winner, trainer David O’Meara was swift to strike again on opening night of the 2021 edition with initial starter Lord Glitters landing the Group 2 Singspiel stylishly.
The accomplished conditioner—never one to shy from global affairs—will try to keep his meeting record unblemished in Dubai this season when he starts Withernsea Thoroughbred Limited's Listed winner Escobar in Thursday's nightcap over one mile on grass.
Leading the weights with a 105 rating, the newly turned 7-year-old son of Famous Name will get a bit of class relief, coming out of a 13th in October's 14-horse Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot. A five-time winner from 38 starts, the winner of the 2019 Balmoral Handicap on British Champions Day (over Lord North) will break from post 13 of 16 with Adrie de Vries, pilot of Lord Glitters last week.
"Escobar is a very good horse," O'Meara said. "He can be a little bit inconsistent. The nature of the bend and the track are ideal conditions for him. We hope he'll run well, but we do think he'll improve while he's out there and with each run."
Meanwhile, plans are being laid out for 8-year-old globetrotter Lord Glitters this winter, including a possible return to the $4 million Dubai Turf (G1), a race in which he was third in 2019 behind Almond Eye and Vivlos. The 2019 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) winner appeared quite at home over Meydan's 1800m of good ground last Thursday.
"Lord Glitters came out of the race well and had a little swim and a hack-about since he ran," O'Meara said. "I suppose the races out in Dubai for him on the agenda would be would be what's next for him. On the agenda would be the (Group 2 Al Rashidiya) on February 11 and then there's the (Group 1) Jebel Hatta on March 6 and Dubai Turf (March 27) over the same trip on grass—nine furlongs.
"Obviously, we'd love to get him there, if we can. We would like to take him to the Jebel Hatta, whether we run him on February 11 or not. I suppose we'll just enter and then just make a decision based on what the field looks like."
Watson's Mnasek, Super Chianti Challenge Soft Whisper In UAE 1000 Guineas
Trainer Doug Watson knows it is no small task to take on Godolphin the Dubai World Cup Carnival classics, but his confidence doing so in Thursday's UAE 1000 Guineas (Listed) appears warranted. Winner of the race in 2016 with Polar River, he starts a pair of maiden winners in Al Rashid Stables' Mnasek—the highest-rated 3-year-old filly in the UAE at 96—and Charles Fipke's impressive November debutante Super Chianti (rated 82). Both must conquer Saeed bin Suroor-trained UAE 1000 Guineas Trial winner Soft Whisper (rated 95), who is expected to be the strong market favourite in the one-mile event after overpowering opponents three weeks ago.
"I wouldn't trade either filly for anyone in the race," Watson said. "Mnasek has done very well since her run and has schooled a couple times from the gates. Super Chianti has done very well, too. She has grown and really filled out nicely."
Mnasek overcame a horrible start on debut on Dec. 17 to decimate a seven-furlong maiden field by a widening 6 3/4 lengths. A daughter of late, great sire Empire Maker, she is out of Bayakoa Stakes (G2) winner Washington Bridge.
Super Chianti was scheduled to compete against Soft Whisper in the UAE 1000 Guineas, but was scratched because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Red Stables yard of her trainer. She has not competed since an eye-catching victory over six furlongs on debut, Nov. 19. By Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver, she is out of a half-sister to Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner Dangerous Midge--thus the 400m step up in trip is arguably of little issue.
"They were both good fresh (when winning first out)," Watson continued. "I guess (only) inexperience would worry me a little. Both are in flying form at home and we are really looking forward to trying them in this better class of race, having just won a maiden apiece."
Watson also starts maiden Heshmah (by Kitten's Joy), who has shown surprising speed before settling for third in both her starts. Based on pedigree, she should enjoy the stretch out in distance and will likely once again be a serious pace factor.
Bin Suroor, whose expected favourite has yet to finish worse than second in five starts, thus carrying an experience edge, added: "Soft Whisper won twice in Britain last year and did well to win the trial after a slow start. The extra (furlong) should suit and we are expecting a big run."
Soft Whisper , who has had four three different riders on her in her trio of victories, will try to make it four when Frankie Dettori gets a leg up in Thursday's race (Race 5; 8:50 p.m.).
Another held in high regard to keep an eye on is HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Nicholas Bachalard-trained Nayefah. Her conditioner has been patient with her at shorter distances, including a pair of slow-starting runner-up efforts from her two tries.
"We deliberately missed the Trial to give her more time between races," Bachalard said. She has done herself no favours with slow starts both times, so hopefully she can break on terms this time."
The Guineas is worth $125,000 and attracted a field of seven. Outsiders Revolutme and Khatun complete the field.
Be sure to watch all of Thursday's action via the video feed the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) app or by tuning directly into Dubai Racing TV.
