DUBAI // Connections will be hoping that Frankyfourfingers can emulate the 2003 winner of Thursday night’s 1,900-metre middle round of the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge, Moon Ballad, by going on to win the Dubai World Cup.
African Story, runner-up in this race last year, went on to land the world’s richest horse race but he was well beaten this time on the new dirt surface, finishing seventh, about five lengths back.
Runner-up in the 1,600m in the first round of the challenge, the Salem bin Ghadayer-trained Frankyfourfingers was impressive, sitting just off the early speed before quickening clear at the top of the straight under stable jockey Mickael Barzalona.
Barzalona said: “He ran really well the first day and it was only close home he was run out of it. We thought he had improved for that run and were confident the extra trip would suit him.
“Hopefully, he will come back on Super Saturday and then on World Cup night – all things well for the big race itself.”
Last year’s Kahayla Classic, the Purebred Arabian equivalent of the World Cup, was won by Rabbah De Carrere who, 12 months ago, landed the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge II, over 2,200m on this card. This year the race went to Richlore, the mount of Adrie de Vries and trained by Salem Al Ketbi for Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE.
The Kahayla Classic is 2,000m but the way the mare travelled throughout this contest, the shorter trip in the World Cup feature will not be an issue.
The UAE 1000 Guineas, over 1,600m on dirt, was won, in great style, by Local Time, ridden by James Doyle and a ninth winner in the race for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor who also saddled runner-up Good Place.
The pair are likely to clash again in the UAE Oaks.
Doyle said: “She was brilliant tonight and that was a big win. She seems to be improving and loves this dirt surface.”
The 1,400m turf Meydan Classic Trial was won by Mastermind under Paul Hanagan for trainer Mike de Kock..
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