Godolphin are well stocked for Thursday’s next installment of the Dubai World Cup Carnival but one worth keeping an eye out for at Meydan is Ghaiyyath.
The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old son of Dubawi returns to the track for the first time since finishing down the field in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on very soft surface at Longchamp in October.
Ghaiyyath is one of the highest rated horses in the world (126). He has won five times, including a 14-length romp in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden in Germany last September, and finished third in his other two starts.
He makes his Meydan debut in the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes over the 2,000-metre distance on turf, the opening contest in the seven-race card.
“The main reason for running Ghaiyyath this week is timing,” Appleby told Godolphin's website.
“There is a three-week gap between Super Saturday [March 7] and his main target on Dubai World Cup night, which will probably be the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, whereas we have a good five weeks to freshen him up if we run him now.
“Ghaiyyath wintered out in Dubai last winter, so is used to the routine and his preparation has gone well, although this is very much a prep-run and we expect him to improve for the run.
“He won at Group 2 level over this trip in France last season and, while his main aim is at the end of next month, we would expect that he has the class to run very well.”
William Buick rides Ghaiyyath and James Doyle is in the saddle of Appleby’s other runner, last year’s winner Spotify.
“Spotify enjoyed a nice break following a solid effort out in France on his latest start,” Appleby said.
“He is in good form and is there to run his own race. He goes well fresh and we would be disappointed if he didn’t make the frame.”
Completing the Godolphin line-up in the six-runner race is Saeed bin Suroor’s Royal Meeting.
The four-year-old Invincible Spirit colt finished fifth behind Appleby’s Glorious Journey in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort over 1,400m, though he did win a Group 1 race at Chantilly in his second career start.
“Royal Meeting has been disappointing so far but Christophe Soumillon [jockey] said after his latest start that the horse needed further, so we will see how he gets on over this distance,” Bin Suroor added.
Bin Suroor’s Dubai Love is Godolphin’s sole flag bearer in the UAE Oaks that also includes Japanese entry Serein, an American-bred $500,000 (Dh1.8 million) Keenland September 2018 purchase.
“Dubai Love won nicely in the UAE 1000 Guineas and the step up in distance will suit,” Bin Suroor said.
Patrick Cosgrave, who was on-board in her last two starts, retains the ride on the Night Of Thunder filly.
Godolphin are triple handed in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile with Appleby’s Mythical Magic (Buick) and Zakouski (Doyle) joined by Bin Suroor’s Dream Castle.
The Royal Blues are conspicuous in their absence in the Group 2 Sprint in which Equilateral is the horse to beat after his win in the Listed Dubai Dash over the course and distance on January 23.
The National selections:
6.30pm: Ghaiyyath
7.05pm: Good Fortune
7.40pm: Dubai Love
8.15pm: Mythical Magic
8.50pm: Equilateral
9.25pm: Midnight Sands
10pm: Epic Hero
