Meydan conditions favour Outstrip for Al Maktoum Challenge

Charlie Appleby is confident that Outstrip can put up a bold showing when the grey takes his chance in the opening round of tonight’s Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan Racecourse.

Outstrip is the highest-rated thoroughbred on the seven-race Carnival card but has not won in four starts since he landed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita in 2013.

James Doyle in the saddle to ride Godolphin into a new era

Outstrip, who will be ridden by Adam Kirby, is by the Australian sire of sprinters Exceed And Excel, out of an American mare, and his training on the Marmoom dirt surface has delighted his trainer, who said he believes the pace in dirt racing will suit his charge better.

“He ran OK against Kingman and the rest in the Sussex Stakes in England in July, but the race developed into a sprint, which really doesn’t suit him,” Appleby said.

“There is always plenty of pace on in dirt racing and you can see that so far from what has unfolded at Meydan’s local racing.

“The hard evidence is that he will be very suited to the dirt and I’m confident he will put up a good performance.”

Godolphin have won the feature race eight times, thanks to Saeed bin Suroor, who saddles Emirates Flyer in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.

Emirates Flyer is joined in the race by Frankyfourfingers, one of 11 horses to run for Sheikh Hamdan at Meydan tonight.

Frankyfourfingers is trained by rookie handler Salem bin Ghadayer, a 23-year-old endurance rider who has ridden alongside Sheikh Hamdan competitively.

Ghadayer will send out six horses tonight for Sheikh Hamdan’s fledgling Fazza Racing operation, five of which will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona.

The French rider will partner the former Andre-Fabre-trained Pilote in the Listed Singspiel Stakes, while Cam Hardie, the British apprentice, will partner Irish import Warbird.