Eagerly awaited, the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival gets under way at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, with seven races officially highlighted by the 1600m Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 for which a capacity field of 16 has been declared, including the first four home from last year’s renewal of the dirt feature.
Golden Goal landed the spoils on that occasion under Sam Hitchott for Doug Watson but, with stable jockey Pat Dobbs sadly suspended and with a choice of five runners for the American handler, Hitchcott has elected to partner Prince Eiji who had several of those again in opposition in behind winning the Listed Dubai Creek Mile on his reappearance five weeks ago.
Those the 7yo defeated on that occasion included Golden Goal and two other of Watson's runners, Everfast and Thegreatcollection, the mounts of Oscar Chavez and Richard Mullen respectively on Friday. They were third and fourth in the Dubai Creek Mile, the latter filling the same position as he did in this race last year.
Pat Cosgrave is aboard Golden Goal with Danny Tudhope picking up the spare ride on Midnight Sands who completes a potent looking quintet in the race representing Red Stables.
Watson said: "We learned a lot tactically about Prince Eiji in the Creek Mile as he could not get the lead but quickened nicely from off the pace and stayed on well.
"We always planned to run a few as we are lucky enough to have a good team of dirt milers and they all go there in good form. Hopefully they can all run well."
Runner-up and third last year, Secret Ambition and Kafoo both represent Bhupat Seemar, joined by another duo from Zabeel Stables in the shape of Desert Peace and Discovery Island. Tadhg O'Shea partners Secret Ambition aboard whom he won both the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes and Group 2 Godolphin Mile in 2021, chased home by Golden Goal in the latter but without a victory since.
Desert Wisdom , winner of the Group 3 Burj Nahaar last season, the 2019 Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 winner Capezzano, Turkey's Final Dance, Algiers, victorious in last season's Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile and Dubai Creek Mile runner-up, Daniyah, all add further intrigue to what appears a cracking renewal.
The main support race and turf feature is the 1400m Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort, a race in which Charlie Appleby is seeking a fifth success in six years. He saddles both Group 3 Jersey Stakes winner Noble Truth the mount of William Buick with James Doyle in the saddle aboard stable companion Al Suhail.
Appleby said: "Noble Truth hasn't raced since Royal Ascot but I have been happy with his prep going into this. Whatever he does on Friday, I would expect there to be a bit of improvement to come afterwards.
"Al Suhail boasts some good form at Meydan and is in good order. He has a wide draw to overcome but his preparation has also gone well and this is probably his ideal trip these days."
Switzerland won the Group 1 Golden Shaheen, the big 1200m dirt sprint of the season over 1200m, on last year's Dubai World Cup card, and is among 11 set to face the starter in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes. O'Shea again rides for Seemar.
Seemar said of the 9yo: "He seems to be in good form and we are hoping for a big run under his optimum conditions."
The Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash which concludes proceedings, over 1000m on turf, again sees a strong Appleby duo in the field, Buick partnering course specialist Man Of Promise with Doyle aboard Group 2 Blue Point Sprint winner Lazuli.
Charlie Appleby said: "Man Of Promise and Lazuli are carnival veterans now and appear to be in good order. Five furlongs might be on the sharper side for Man Of Promise but he is fresh and well, while Lazuli likes racing over this course and distance. They both received favourable draws and should be very competitive."
Over the same 1600m as the Thoroughbred equivalent, the Purebred Arabian Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 has also attracted the maximum allowed field of 16, including last year's winner RB Rich Lyke Me, 2021 Kahayla Classic hero Deryan, as well as recent victors Kerless Del Roc, successful in the Group 2 Madjani Stakes and Group 2 Bani Yas hero AF Alajaj.
This race kicks off a very competitive card at 6pm.
