The Dubai World Cup Carnival's sixth meeting at Meydan is highlighted by the Blue Point Sprint with last year's winner Lazuli going for the top prize again.
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby runs Lazuli, ridden by William Buick, and James Doyle on Man of Promise in Friday's meeting.
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Lazuli made a winning reappearance over the track and trip with Man Of Promise a length and-a-quarter behind in second in the Ertijaal Dubai Dash on January 6.
Man Of Promise was runner up again in his next start over the extended 1,200m Listed Dubai Sprint, this time behind the Irish trainer Gordon Elliot’s Coachello, three weeks ago.
Challenging the Godolphin pair in the 13-runner field are Acklam Express, Ponntos, and Raasel, and Ladies Church, a filly trained in Ireland by Johnny Murtagh and making her debut at Meydan.
Another big race on the night is the 22nd running of the UAE 2000 Guineas, which has drawn nine runners in the 1,600-metre race on dirt.
Salem bin Ghadayer’s Tiger Nation, ridden by Mickael Barzalona and carrying the silks of the Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, appears to be the one to beat.
The Tamarkuz colt is undefeated in two starts, over 1,200m and 1,400m, and would appreciate stepping up to 1,600m. However, he has to overcome the widest draw from gate No 9.
Doug Watson’s Shirl’s Bee made a winning racecourse debut and hasn’t been seen since his only start over the track and trip on December 23.
Tall Boy is an interesting entry even though he arrives as a maiden after four starts. He is representing the USA and Doug O’Neill, who landed this prize in 2020 with Fore Left under William Buick and who is booked on the Lookin At Lucky colt.
“We think he will be a horse for the UAE Derby and this looks the ideal starting point towards that race,” Leandro Mora, the assistant trainer, said.
“He seems to love the Meydan dirt surface and is a really nice, big, strong horse. He should run well.”
Racecard
6pm: Palm Jumeirah – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Turf) 2,000m
6.35pm: Dubai Islands – Handicap (TB) $100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.10pm: Dubai Trophy by Nakheel – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
7.45pm: Curlin Handicap by Nakheel – Handicap (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
8.20pm: Blue Point Sprint by Nakheel – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.55pm: UAE 2000 Guineas by Nakheel – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Business Bay Challenge by Nakheel – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
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Number of tracks: 10
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
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Staff: 119
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
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