Dream Castle aims for back-to-back wins at Dubai World Cup Carnival

Godolphin horse is one of six from the Dubai racing operation to be entered in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya at Meydan

Dream Castle is aiming to follow up this win in the Singspiel Stakes when he races in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya on Thursday. Antonie Robertson/The National

Godolphin are well represented in the two Group 2 races at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday as the Dubai World Cup Carnival enters its fourth week.

In the third of six races – the 1,800-metre Al Rashidiya on turf – Godolphin boast six runners in the nine-horse race, with Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby both with three entered.

Bin Suroor’s challenge is spearheaded by Dream Castle, who won on his last outing at Meydan in the Group 3 Singspiel Stakes in January. Racing History, who was runner-up in that race, goes again, with Leshlaa completing the Emirati trainer’s line-up.

“Dream Castle won well in the Singspiel Stakes and came out of the race in very good order,” Bin Suroor told the Godolphin website. “This is a step up to a Group 2 race, but I have been pleased with his work and I am looking for another good run.

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“Racing History ran a pleasing race behind Dream Castle and this looks to be the right race for him. He is in form at the moment and I am hoping for a good result again from him.

“Leshlaa looks to be in good condition and is ready to make his seasonal return. He is by Street Cry and we want to keep our options open whether to race him on dirt or keep him on the turf, so this will hopefully guide us.”

Appleby’s trio is led by Blair House, who won twice over the course and distance last year, including the Group 1 Jebel Hatta. He subsequently finished down the field in the Group 1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night.

Blair House returns to Meydan following three runs in Australia, where he was narrowly beaten by another Godolphin runner, Benbatl, in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes in October.

“Blair House put up a couple of decent performances out in Australia and has had a little break since,” Appleby said. “He is a course and distance winner and any reproduction of that form will obviously make him very competitive. He is fresh and well.”

Also representing Appleby in will be Bay Of Poets and First Contact.

“We felt that Bay Of Poets ran a nice enough race in the Singspiel Stakes, when his saddle slipped. This trip looks right for him and he should be in the mix if he turns up on his ‘A’ game.

“First Contact is stepping up in trip, having won over a mile in France last time out, which we feel will produce further improvement. He has had a nice break and has done well out in Dubai.”

Appleby also has three runners – D’bai, Bravo Zolo and Mythical Magic – in the 1,400m Al Fahidi Fort on dirt, while Bin Suroor runs Top Score.

“D’bai is proven around Meydan and was very competitive throughout his European campaign last year,” Appleby said. “Seven furlongs is his optimum trip and I would be disappointed if he wasn’t bang there in the finish.

“Bravo Zolo is fresh and well. He has showed a good level of form at this course and is back on his preferred surface, which will also help.

“Mythical Magic has produced good runs at Listed level in France on his last two starts and I have been pleased with his preparation, although he will come on for the run.”

Bin Suroor is confident his charge should fare well in what should be a challenging race.

“Top Score has shown plenty of speed in his races and seven furlongs looks to be his best trip at the moment,” he said. “This is a tough race, but he heads into it in good form.”